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<^t)r  (tiitv0lt2  <£tiition 


THE  WORKS 


OF 


SHAKESPEARE 

VOL.  VII 


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r.i^*^ 


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THE   WORKS 


OF 


SHAKESPEARE 


EDITED 
WITH  INTRODUCTIONS  AND  NOTES 

BY 

C  H.  HERFORD,  Litt.D. 

PROFSSSOR  OP  BNGLISH   LANGUAGE   AND  LITBRATURB  IN  THE 
UNIVERSITY  COLLEGE  OP  WALES,   ABERYSTWYTH 


IN  TEN  VOLS. 
VOL.  VII 


MACMILLAN   AND  CO.,  Limited 

NEW  YORK:    THE   MACMILLAN   COMPANY 
1899 

AU  rights  reserved 

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£y..^(OjiXl^^  La^VvcL^ 


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CONTENTS 

King  Henry  the  Fifth—  -  '^*^" 

Introduction .5 

Text         .........  15 

King  Henry  the  Eighth— 

Introduction 147 

Text 159 

Titus  Andronicus— 

Introduction 285 

Text 293 

Romeo  and  Juliet — 

Introduction 389 

Text 405 


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-  -'  —■  -'    ^ 


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THE  LIFE  OF 
KING    HENRY   THE    FIFTH 


VOL.  VII  S 


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DRAMATIS  PERSONA 

King  Henry  the  Fifth. 

Duke  OF  Gloucester,  1 .    ..        *    ,    ^. 

DUKE  OF  BEDFORD,     •}  brothers  to  the  Kmg. 

Duke  of  Exeter,  uncle  to  the  King. 

Duke  of  York,  cousin  to  the  King. 

Earls  of  Salisbury,  Westmoreland,  and  Warwick. 

Archbishop  of  Canterbury. 

Bishop  of  Ely. 

Earl  op  Cambridge. 

Lord  Scroop. 

Sir  Thomas  Grey. 

Sir   Thomas   Erpingham,  Gowsr,   Fluellen,  Macmorris, 

Jamy,  officers  in  King  Henry's  army. 
Bates,  Court»  Wiluams,  soldiers  in  the  same. 
Pistol,  Nym,  Bardolph. 
Boy. 

A  Herald. 

Charles  the  Sixth,  King  of  France. 
Lewis,  the  Dauphin. 

Dukes  of  Burgundy,  Orleans,  and  Bourbon. 
The  Constable  of  France. 
Rambures  and  Grandpr^,  French  Lords. 
Governor  of  Harfleur. 
MoNTjOY,  a  French  Herald. 
Ambassadors  to  the  King  of  England. 

Isabel,  Queen  of  France. 
Katharine,  daughter  to  Charles  and  Isabel. 
Alice,  a  lady  attending  on  her. 

Hostess  of  a  tavern  in  Eastcheap,  formerly  Mistress  Quickly,  and 
now  married  to  PistoL 

Lords,  Ladies,  Officers,  Soldiers,  Citizens,  Messengers, 
and  Attendants. 

Chorus. 
Scene  :  England;  afterwards  France. 

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King  Henry  the  Fifth 

Duration  op  Time 

Dramatic  Time. — ^Ten  days  with  intervals  (P.  A.  Daniel,  '  Time 
Analysis/  Trans,  N,  Sh,  Soc.,  1877-79,  p.  390  f.). 

Day  I.  I.  I.,  2.  IntervaL 

,,  2.  II.  I.  Interval. 

,,  3.  II.  2.,  3.  Interval. 

,,  4.  II.  4.  Interval  [?  in  the  interval,  III.  4].^ 

,,  5.  III.  1.-3.  Interval. 

,,  6.  III.  5.  Interval. 

,,  7.  III.  6.  IntervaL 

,,  8.  III.  7.  Interval.     IV.  1.-8.     Interval. 

M    9.  [V.  1.-3* 
,,    lo.  V.  2. 

Historic  Time. — From  1414,  the  year  after  Henry's  accession, 
to  May  20,  1420,  the  date  of  his  betrothal  Of  this,  five  years 
(1415-20)  pass  between  days  8  and  10. 

^  Daniel   assigns   this   scene  to  Act  III. 

(the  princess's  English  lesson)  '  This  appears  to  be  on  the 

to  the  time  between  the  French  morrow  of  St    David's    Day, 

king's   ofifer    of   her    hand    to  i.e,  March  2 ;   hence  after  the 

Henry  and  his  rejection  of  it, —  battle,  and  before  the  betrothal 

both  referred  to  in  the  Chorus  (v.  2.). 


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INTRODUCTION 


Trb  earliest  edition  oiBemy  V.  was  printed  in  Quarto  Eari^ 
in  1600,  with  the  foll(mng  title : — 

The  I  Cronicle  |  History  of  Henry  the  fift,  | 
with  his  battell  fought  at  Agin  Court  in  |  Francei 
Togither  with  Auntient  \  PistolL  |  As  it  hath  bem 
sundry  times  playd  by  the  Right  Honorable  \  the  Lord 
Chemberlcdne  Ms  seruants.  \  London.  [  Printed  by 
Thomas  Creedty  for  Tho.  Milling- [  ton,  and  John 
Busby.  .  .  .  1600.' 

Other  editions  of  ^is  Quarto  (printed  for  Thomas 
Favier  instead  of  for  Milhngton)  appeared  in  1609 
and  1608. 

All  these  texts,  however,  differed  widely  from  that 
pnldished  by  Shakespeare's  executors  in  the  FoHo  of 
1623,  and  their  relation  to  it  was  for  long  a  burning 
question,  as  in  the  analogous  cases  of  Romeo  and 
fuHety  The  Merry  Wmes,  Henry  VI,,  jmd  Hamlet. 
But  the  problem  is  here  a  relatiyely  simple  one,  and 
scholars  are  now  almost  unanimous  in  holding  the 
FoHo  text  to  represent  substantially  Shakespeare's  MS., 
and  the  Quarto  to  be  a  surreptitious  version  of  the 
acting  edition,  '  hastily  made  up  from  notes  taken  at 
the  theatre  during  the  performance  and  subsequently 
patched  together.'  The  variations  in  the  Quarto  are 
all,  with  the  trifling  exceptions  noticed  below,  easily 
explicable  from  one  of  these  two  sources  of  corruption 

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(i)  The  five  Choruses  and  Epilogue,  with  three 
unessential  scenes  (i.  i.,  iii!  i.,  iv.  2.),  are  omitted. 
This  would  be  an  obvious  expedient  for  curtailing  a 
lengthy  play.  It  is  certain  from  the  allusion  in  ProL 
V.  to  Essex,  that  these  are  as  old  as  March  to 
September  1599,  the  probable  date  of  the  entire 
play.  It  is  pretty  safe  to  assume  then  that  they 
formed  part  of  the  original  draft  and  were  omitted 
in  performance. 

(2)  Several  characters  are  omitted,  their  speeches 
being  sometimes  omitted  also,  sometimes  transferred. 
Thus  in  L  2.  Canterbury  and  Ely  coalesce  in  a  single 
*  Bishop,'  though  a  tell-tale  stage  direction  at  the  head 
of  the  scene  describes  the  entry  of  *2  bishops.' 
Similarly  in  iv.  3.  Westmoreland's  part  is  made  over 
to  Warwick,  while  Erpingham,  save  for  a  mutilated 
semblance  of  his  name  in  a  stage  direction  ('  Eping- 
ham')  disappears  altogether.  These  changes  were 
an  obvious  stage-manager's  shift  to  reduce  the  number 
of  actors  required  It  is  less  easy  to  explain  viiy  in 
the  same  scene  a  new  character,  Clarence,  should  be 
introduced  (for  Bedford),  and  in  iil  7.  another  new 
one,  *Gebon,'  for  Ramburd,  and  why  in  the  latter 
soene  and  in  iv.  5.  Bourbon  should  take  the  place  of 
the  Dauphin.^  These  serve  no  obvious  stage  interest, 
nor  are  they  the  kind  of  changes  which  occur  to  a 
botching  editor  or  a  speculative  printer.  It  is  difficult 
to  resist  the  inference  that  Shakespeare  did  perform 
some  slight  redistribution  among  these  in  the  main 
faintly  distinguished  parts.  But  even  this  was  not 
thorough-going,^ — witness  the  inconsistency  still  re- 
maining in  V.  2.  84,  wh^e  the  Duke  of  Clarence  is 
addressed  as  present 

^  Besides  the  characters  men-  and  iv.  2. ),  and  the  Frendi 
tioned,  Britany,  Grandprd,  Mac-  queen  have  no  speeches  in  the 
morris,  Jamy,  Messenger  (ii.  4.      Qq. 

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Introduction 

(3)  The  whole  text  of  the  Quarto  is  bately  half 
the  length  of  the  Folio ;  ^  and  its  brevity  is  not  that 
of  a  first  sketch,  but  of  ^nperfect  note^taking.  It  is 
not  an  unexpanded  germ,  but  a  cento  of  scraps. 
Scarcely  a  single  passage  of  more  than  a  few  lines  is 
reported  continuously;  catching  phrases  reappear, 
complexities  of  thought  or  phrase  vanish,  fidelity  for 
a  line  or  two  is  purchased  by  the  total  loss  of  the 
following  lines. 

The  date  of  Henry  K  falls  within  narrow  limits.  Date  of. 
The  reference  to  Essex's  expected  return  from  Ire-  S^**°**' 
land  (Prol.  to  Act  V.)  shows  that  it  was  acted,  and 
in  part  at  least  written,  between  March  27,  1599, 
when  he  left  London,  and  September  28,  the  date  of 
his  summary  and  fatal  return.  In  the  Epilogue  to 
2  IfeHfy  IV.  Shakespeare  had  promised  to  *  continue 
the  story,  with  Sir  John  in  it,  and  make  you  merry 
with  fair  Katharine  of  France ' ;  and  the  promise  is 
so  imperfectly  kept  that  it  is  clear  the  entire  plan  of 
Henry  K  had  still  to  be  formed  when  the  Epilogue 
was  written.  But,  as  we  have  seen,  the  Second  Part 
of  Hef^  IK  belongs  to  the  latter  half  of  1598; 
while  this  part  of  the  Epilogue,  written  after  the 
change  from  Oldcastle  to  Falstafif  had  been  made, 
may  be  yet  later.  Hence  the  general  conclusion  can 
scarcely  be  assailed,  that  Henry  V.  was  written  in 
the  early  part  of  1599,  and  acted  with  prologues  and 
epilogue  that  summer.  It  is  probable,  however,  that 
a  fragment  of  one  of  the  least  striking  scenes  in  the 
play  as  we  have  it  was  added  at  a  time  when  the 
accession  of  James  had  given  an  occasion  for  com- 
plaisance to  the  Scotch  such  as  we  know  that  Shake- 
speare  did   not   always   disdain   to   display.^     The 

^  1623  lines  to  nearly  3479     or  not  contradicted,   by  other 

(Daniel).  items  of  evidence : — the  allusions 

'  The  conclusion  is  confirmed,      in  Prol.  to  Act  I.  to  the  Globe 


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dialogue  of  the  Scotch  and  Irish  captains  in  iii.  3. 
72  f.  is  not  represented  in  Qq,  and  die  presence  of 
A  Scottish  captain  in  Henry's  army  is  undoubtedly 
surprising  after  th^  strong  anti-Scottish  animus  ex^ 
hibited  iii  i.  a. — an  animus  not  entirely  supported  by 
Holinshed,  Simpson  saw  in  this  colloquy  of  the  four 
captains — English,  Scotch,  Welsh,  Irish— a  dramatic 
plea  for  Essex's  policy  of  composing  drastic  differences, 
and  especially  of  uniting  Scotland  with  England 
Mr.  Fleay  prefers  to  regard  the  passage  as  an  inser- 
tion for  the  Court  performance,  Christmas  1605,  *to 
please  King  James,  who  had  been  annoyed  that  year 
by  depreciation  of  Scots  on  the  stage.'  ^ 
Sources.  In  Henry  K  as  in  Henry  /K,  its  magnificent  and 
long-drawn  prelude,  Shakespeare  follows  the  ChnmicUs 
of  Holinshed  and  Hall  with  singular  fidelity,  adding^ 
as  there,  a  few  touches  from  The  Famous  Victories. 
The  'Harry'  of  the  Chronicles  is  in  substance  his. 
Here,  in  a  fuller  sense  than  in  any  other  of  the 
Histories,  Shakespeare  meant  to  recall  the  actual 
past  It  was  the  real  Harry  that  he  strove  to  paint, 
the  real  Agincourt  that  he  bade  his  audience  recon- 
struct in  imagination  from  his  'cockpit'  and  'vile 
and  ragged  foils,'  '  Minding  true  things  by  what  theis 
mockeries  be.'^  But  these  two,  the  great  king  and 
the  great  victory,  exhaust  Shakespeare's  interest  in 
the  reign.  All  personality  in  the  play  is  pale  beside 
Henry's,  and  all  event  is  ancillary  to  the  French 
campaign. 

Even  as  described  in  Holinshed  the  reign  was 

(built  by  Burbage  early  in  1599);  been    seen,    upon    the    acting 

the    fact    that    Meres    in    the  version. 

Palladis  Tamia,TS9^.  does  not  i  g^  ^^^^  ^^  j^^^^  yj^  j^^^^ 

mention  one  of  the  most  famous  .    ^    ^8.      Life  and   Work  of 

of  Shakespeare  s  Histones ;  and  Shakespeare,  p.  206. 

the  pubhcation  m  z6oo  of  the  '^          "^ 

Quarto  edition,  founded,  as  has  '  Chonu  to  Act  IV. 


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Introduction 

remarVahly  poor  in  qp{x>rton3ties  for  Che  dmnotttiic; 
and  it  would  seem  that  Shakespeare  delib^ately  made 
light  of  some  that  he  found,  in  order  to  give  his  heroic 
object  in  its  magnificent  simplicity  full  way  without 
the  distractions  of  intrigue  and  cotmterplot  The 
p^y  is  strictly  no  drama,  but  an  epic  in* dramatic 
form.  Shakespeare  seems  to  hint  as  much  by  ^bt 
use  of  the  Chorus,  an  expedient  to  which  he  no 
longer  resorted  when  dealing  with  the  raster  distances 
and  the  more  colossal  warfare  oi  JuHus  Cmsar  txA 
Antony  and  Cleopatra, 

Only  one  other  drama  entirely  his  own — The  Wintet^s  The 
72?^— contains  a  chorus ;  and  there  it  serves  to  an-  ^**'**^ 
nounce  an  interval  of  dramatic  time  far  greater  than 
Shakespeare  has  anywhere  else  approached.  Except 
in  a  single  instance  {Act  V.),  the  Chorus  in  Henry  K 
announces  only  trifUng  intervals  either  of  space  or 
time,^-*-a  journey  from  London  to  Southampton,  from 
Southampton  to  Harfleur,  and  so  on.  But  the  Chorus 
to  Act  IV.  has  no  such  r61e  to  perform ;  and  this 
Chorus,  the  most  splendid  and  high-wrought  of  all, 
serves  to  show  that  Shakespeare  introduced  this 
machinery  not  for  the  sake  of  bridging  intervals  of  time 
and  spactf — which  elsewhere  his  audience  crossed 
*  on  imagined  wings '  with  the  utmost  unconcern,^ — " 
but  as  the  most  obvious  means  of  bringing  home  the 
outward  semblance  of  an  event  of  absorbing  interest.^ 
In  CorioianuSf  in  Antony  and  C/eofiatray  there  are  brief 

^  It  is  curious  that   Shake-  were  needed,  and  recommended 

tpeare  nowhere  else  betra3rs  any  his  own   Evety  Man   in   His 

tmtation  —  such    as    certainly  Humour  (written  before  Hetuy 

breathes  in  the  close  of  Prol.  iv.  K)  in  a  prologue  (1601-1616), 

—at  the  imperfect  resources  of  widi    a    probable   allusion    to 

the    Elizabethan    stage.       He  Shakespeare's  work : — 
solved  the  difficulty  here  by  the  ...  be  pleased  to  see 

Chorus;  Jonson.asiswdlknown.  One  sim^  to-day  as  otjier  plays 

piefenred  to  srfve  it  by  not  writ-  wb^e^neither'  chorus  waft,  you  o'er 
mg  plays  m  whidi  great  letources  the  seat,  etc. 


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bursts  of  battle-poetry  exceeding  in  sublimity  anything 
in  Henry  V,;  but  that  is  chiefly  because  they  are 
penetrated  with  a  dramadc  passion  for  which  in 
Henry  V.  there  was  simply  no  room.  The  subject 
was  epic,  and  Shakespeare  fell  back  upon  the  epic 
poet's  method  No  scene  in  the  drama  paints  so 
vividly  as  a  few  lines  in  the  Chorus  the  transforming 
spell  of  the  master  presence,  which  made  the  handful 
of  womout  men  a  weapon  of  adamant  against  the 
serried  ranks  of  chivalry : — 

A  largess  universal  like  the  sun 

His  liberal  eye  doth  give  to  every  one, 

Thawing  cold  fear,  that  mean  and  gentle  all 

Behold,  as  may  unworthiness  de6ne, 

A  little  touch  of  Harry  in  the  night. 

Henry.  Henry's  own  character  is  devoid  of  strictly  dramatic 
elements.  It  derives  none  of  its  extraordinary  fascina- 
tion from  inner  conflict  He  is  at  one  with  himself. 
Even  the  inherited  sin  of  his  house,  so  burdensome 
to  his  father,  passes  completely  into  the  background. 
In  none  of  the  Histories  does  it  play  so  slight  a  part 
His  naive  faith  in  his  right  to  France  is  perplexed  by 
no  scruple  about  his  right  to  England.  Mortimer, 
the  legitimate  heir,  is  never  mentioned;  and  the 
conspiracy  of  Cambridge  and  Scroop  and  Grey  on 
his  behalf  is  credited  to  the  gold  of  the  French  king.^ 
Before  Agincourt  Henry  prays  that  the  guilt  of  his 
father's  usurpation  may  not  that  day  be  visited  upon 
him;  but  his  fervour  is  not  troubled  like  Claudius' 
by  any  suspicion  that  he  ought  to  resign  the  usurped 
throne.     Not  only  is  there  no  foreboding  of  the  tragic 

^  Shakespeare's      Cambridge      The  soono*  to  effect  what   I   in- 
hints  darkly  at  an  ulterior  pur-  tended, 

pose  in  11.  155-157 : —  In  reality,  Mortimer  himself  ap- 

For  me,  the  gold  of  France  did  not      P^  ^  ^^l^  ^^^^1/?^  P^""^ 
seduce ;  to  Henry.    S.  Remy  s  MSmotres, 

Although  I  did  admit  it  as  a  motive       cit  Stone's  HoKitshedt  p.  174. 

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Introduction 

Nemesis  which  the  authors  of  Henry  VL  read  in  the 
impending  ruin  of  the  house  of  Lancaster ;  we  move 
in  a  world  in  which  tragic  Nemesis  has  no  place,  and 
another,  more  Shakespearean,  conception  of  human 
affairs  controls  the  action.  Henry  is  not  irrevocably 
bound  by  the  guilt  of  his  ancestors :  his  sheer  sound- 
ness and  strei^h  of  character  emancipate  him  at 
once  from  the  inherited  taint  and  the  paralysing  self- 
distrust  ;  if  ruin  follows  in  the  next  reign,  it  is  not 
the  guilt  of  the  dead  but  the  weakness  of  the  living 
that  brings  it  on. 

All  the  other  characters  serve  in  their  degree  to 
set  off  the  king's;  but  none  are  even  distantly 
his  rivals.  The  English  commanders,  the  prelates, 
the  traitor  nobles,  are  slightly  sketched,  and  either 
implicitly  fall  in  with  or  but  faintly  disturb  the  onward 
sweep  of  Henry's  course.  The  conspiracy  of  Cam- 
bridge and  Scroop  was  in  reality  a  dangerous  S3nnptom 
of  distrust :  a  dramatist  bent  upon  plot-interest  would 
have  made  us  tremble  for  the  king's  life.  Shakespeare 
announces  it  with  a  quiet  assurance  that  there  is  no 
danger,  for  all  is  known,  and  the  conspirators  them* 
selves  hasten  to  deprecate  any  further  anxiety  by 
expressing  their  heart-felt  penitence.  The  whole 
episode  serves  simply  to  exhibit  Henry's  bearing  as 
man  and  king, — the  stem  Roman  fortitude  humanised 
with  Germanic  pity  and  regret — when  discharging 
the  duty  of  sentencing  an  old  comrade  and  frigid 
to  death. 

The  one  formidable  rival  of  the  king  is  no  single  Th«  French, 
figure,  but  the  *  bad  neighbour '  at  whom  he  dashes 
his  little  force,  the  assembled  power  of  France.  And 
the  French  are  drawn  collectively,  in  slightly  modu- 
lated shades  of  the  same  conventional  hue.  The  brush 
which  had  painted  the  rival  of  Henry's  youth,  now 
dashes  off  with  far  less  care  and  delicacy  the  foes  of 
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King  Henry  the  Fifth 

his  manhood.  The  vapouring  chivahy,  the  £uitastic 
self-conceit  whidi  so  fatally  alloyed  Hotspur's  sturdy 
Saxon  strength,  reappear  with  more  of  blatant  flourish 
in  men  of  finer  wit  but  weaker  fibre.  The  Dauphin, 
less  original  than  Hotspur,  but  without  a  spark  of  his 
real  heroism,  misconstrues  Henry  as  completely ;  and 
Shakespeare  plays  with  visible  pleasure  upon  the 
tennis-ball  motive  which  he  found  in  Holini^ed 
He  makes  the  English  envoys  to  the  French  camp 
ddiver  a  q)ecial  message  of  scorn  to  the  Dauphin 
(il  4.  no  f.);  and  the  Dauphin,  in  spite  of  history 
and  his  father's  orders,  figures  in  the  French  camp 
at  Agincourt^  But  the  Dauphin  is  only  an  extreme 
type  of  the  fatuous  intoxication  which  possesses  the 
whole  host,  and  is  chiefly  responsible  for  its  overthrow. 
Agincourt  is  the  duel  of  Shrewsbury,  writ  large ;  with 
the  difference  that  there  is  here  no  counterpart  to 
the  pathos  of  the  mourning  for  Hotspur.  A  few  wild 
curses  and  cries  of  rage  suffice  to  sum  up  the  immea* 
surably  greater  tragedy  of  the  French  rout  And  in 
the  fifth  Act  the  French  themselves  seem  to  share  in 
the  exultation  of  England  over  their  own  surrender. 
In  painting  Henry's  own  attitude  towards  the  enemy, 
however,  Shakespeare's  touch  is  not  quite  so  firm  as 
when  he  limned  Prince  HaL  The  speeches  before 
Harfleur  to  Montjoy,  and  after  the  battle,  are  hardly 
in  keeping  with  the  modesty  of  true  valour  whi<^ 
makes  him  forbid  the  display  of  his  bruised  helmet 
and  bent  sword  in  the  London  streets.  In  his  actual 
treatment  of  Harfleur  he  shows  a  humanity  not 
recorded  of  the  historic  Henry,  who  allowed  the  town 
to  be  sadced.  On  the  other  hand,  his  ferocious 
slaughter  of  the  prisoners  at  Agincourt  has  not  a  yidkit 

^  Holinshed  relates  that  'the     prohibited  by  his  father'  {iii. 
Dolphin  sore  desired  to  have     552). 
been  at  the  battell,  bat  he  was 


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Introduction 

more  excuse  in  the  play  than  in  the  chronide.  And 
it  is  hard,  lastly,  to  resist  the  wonder,  as  we  listen  to 
the  bourgeois  jocularities  of  the  last  Act,  that  the  con- 
summate master  c^  words  and  ci  thoughts,  who  had 
shown  himsetf  so  easily  equal  to  every  situation  of 
statecraft  and  war,  should  become  so  obviously  the 
Uuff,  plain  soldiar  in  his  wooing.  In  these  scenes 
we  return  within  a  measuraUe  distance  ci  Tke  J^am(ms 
Victories^  vdiere  Henry  approaches  the  Frendi  princess 
with — 

How  saiest  thon,  Kate,  canst  thort  love  the  King  of  England  ? 

KaU,  How  should  I  kyve  thee,  which  is  my  Other's  enemy  ? 

Hen,  Tut,  stand  not  upon  these  pcnnts, 
Tis  you  must  make  us  friends. 
I  know,  Kate,  thou  art  not  a  little  proud  that  I  love  thee  ? 

No  such  inequality  marks  his  bearing  to  his  own 
men.  The  group  of  English  soldiery  in  the  fore- 
ground are,  after  Henry,  by  far  the  most  detailed 
figures,  and  altogether  Shakespeare's  creation.  They 
provide  a  new  Eastcheap  in  which  the  king  indulges 
the  humanities,  without  the  riots,  of  the  old;  and 
one  which,  in  its  relation  to  the  old,  gives  us  a  subtle 
measure  of  the  king's  relation  to  his  past  Pistol 
and  Bardolph,  the  old  victims  of  FalstafTs  wit,  reap- 
pear in  their  disreputaUe  decay  with  a  congenial 
third,  Nym ;  but  Bardolph  promptly  falls  a  victim  to 
Henry's  insistence  on  honour  and  discipline,  and 
Pktol's  moment  of  hollow  triumph  ^  is  but  a  prelude 
to  his  final  humiliation ;  while  the  Boy,  once  a  promis- 
ing pupil  of  Bardolph's,  sums  up  their  characteristics 
at  the  outset  (iii.  2.)  with  the  honest  indignation  and 
the  merciless  candour  of  youth.  Falstaff  himself  was 
deliberately  excluded,  and  the  omission  is  the  more 
glaring  since  the  historic  Sir  John  Fastolfe  actually 

*  The  scene  between  Pistol     suggested  by  The  Famous  ViC' 
and  the  French  soldier  (iv.  4. )  is     tories^ 


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King  Henry  the  Fifth 

accompanied  the  expedition,  and,  as  Shakespeare  read 
in  Holinshed,  was  kft  by  Exeter  in  charge  of  Har- 
fleur,^  But  with  Falstafi^  Shakespeare  must  have  felt, 
there  was  no  middle  way  between  banishment  and 
the  old  camaraderie.  His  powerful  personality  would 
have  violently  disturbed  the  focus  of  the  play,  and 
threatened  the  supremacy  of  Henry.  In  his  place 
we  have  Fluellen,  a  less  wonderful,  but  hardly  a  less 
finished,  creation  of  comic  genius.  Falstaflfs  humour 
is  a  dazzling  solvent  of  truth :  Fluellen's  a  whimsical 
enforcement  of  it  Falstaff's  finest  jests  are  rooted 
in  dishonour  and  breach  of  trust ;  Fluellen's  quaint 
analogies  from  ancient  history  are  arguments  for 
valour,  discipline,  and  hero-worship.  It  was  not  in 
irony,  we  may  be  sure,  that  Shakespeare  let  him  com- 
pare Harry  of  Monmouth  with  Alexander  of  Macedon; 
and  there  is  weighty  significance  in  the  grotesque 
*  parallel '  by  which  he  supports  it,  that  *  as  Alexander 
killed  his  friend  Cleitus,  being  in  his  ales  and  his 
cups;  so  also  Harry  Monmouth,  being  in  his  right 
wits  and  his  good  judgements,  turned  away  the  fat 
knight  with  the  great-belly  doublet' 

^  Exeter  in  the  play  is  first  the  discrepancy  be  due  to  Fas- 
made  governor  of  Harfleur  and  tolfe  having  originally  been  in- 
then  found  (i. ,  iii.  6)  defending  troduced  and  then  omitted  ? 
the  bridge  near  Agincourt.    Can 


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THE   LIFE   OF 

KING    HENRY    THE    FIFTH 

PROLOGUE. 

Enter  Chorus. 

Char,  O  for  a  Muse  of  fire,  that  would  ascend 
The  brightest  heaven  of  invention, 
A  kingdom  for  a  stage,  princes  to  act 
And  monarchs  to  behold  the  swelling  scene ! 
Then  should  the  warlike  Harry,  like  himself, 
Assume  the  port  of  Mars ;  and  at  his  heels, 
Leash'd  in  like  hounds,  should  famine,  sword  and 

fire 
Crouch  for  employment.     But  pardon,  gentles  all, 
The  flat  unraised  spirits  that  have  dared 
On  this  unworthy  scaffold  to  bring  forth  lo 

So  great  an  object :  can  this  cockpit  hold 
The  vasty  fields  of  France  ?  or  may  we  cram 

7.    famine,  sword  and  fire,  that   Bellona,  •the    goddess    of 

This  trio  is  probably  suggested  battle,  had  three  handmaidens 

by  a  speech  of  Henry's,  as  re-  ...  blood,    fire,    and  famine, 

ported  by  Holinshed,  in  which  all  of  which  were  at  his  choice 

he  replies  to  suppliant  citizens,  to  use  i^HoL  iil  367,  ed.  Stone), 
during  his  siege  of  Rouen  ( 1419 )» 

IS 


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King  Henry  the  Fifth         prol. 

Within  this  wooden  O  the  very  casques 

That  did  afiright  the  air  at  Agincourt  ? 

O,  pardon !  since  a  crooked  figure  may 

Attest  in  little  place  a  million ; 

And  let  us,  ciphers  to  this  great  accompt, 

On  your  imaginary  forces  work. 

Suppose  within  the  girdle  of  these  walls 

Are  now  confined  two  mighty  monarchies,  m 

Whose  high  upreared  and  abutting  fronts 

The  perilous  narrow  ocean  parts  asunder : 

Piece  out  our  imperfections  with  your  thoughts ; 

Into  a  thousand  parts  divide  one  man, 

And  make  imaginary  puissance ; 

Think,  when  we  talk  of  horses,  that  you  see  them 

Printing  their  proud  hoofs  i'  the  receiving  earth ; 

For  'tis  your  thoughts  that  now  must  deck  our 

kings. 
Carry  them  here  and  there ;  jumping  o'er  timesy 
Turning  the  accomplishment  of  many  years  36 

Into  an  hour-glass :  for  the  which  supply. 
Admit  me  Chorus  to  this  history ; 
Who  prologue-like  your  humble  patience  pray, 
Gently  to  hear,  kindly  to  judge,  our  play.     [Exit. 

13.  iAistoaodmO;  the  uaLrrow  on  the  opposite  (city)  side  of 

circular  interior  of  the   newly  the  river, 
erected  Globe  Theatre  on  the         jj.    /^  ^^  {casques),   the 

Bankside,  where  the  play  was  ^erysame. 
first      performed.          It     was 

•wooden/  being  bmlt  of  timber         '7-  accomp,  account, 
taken  from  the  older  'theater'         ^s, puissance (UtaetsfWsJtik&Y 


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ACT  I         King  Henry  the  Fifth 


ACT  I. 

Scene  I.     London,     An  antechamber  in  the 
KiVG*s  ^a/aa. 

Enter  the  Archbishop  of  Canterbury,  and  the 
Bishop  of  Ely. 

Cant  My  lord,  I'll  tell  you;  that  self  bill  is 
urged, 
Which  in  the  eleventh  year  of  the  last  king's  reign 
Was  like,  and  had  indeed  against  us  pass'd, 
But  that  the  scambling  and  unquiet  time 
Did  push  it  out  of  farther  question. 

Ely,  But  how,  my  lord,  shall  we  resist  it  now  ? 

Cant.    It   must   be  thought   on.     If   it    pass 
against  us. 
We  lose  the  better  half  of  our  possession  : 
For  all  the  temporal  lands  which  men  devout 
By  testament  have  given  to  the  church  lo 

Would  they  strip  from  us  ;  being  valued  thus : 
As  much  as  would  maintain,  to  the  king's  honour, 
Full  fifteen  earls  and  fifteen  hundred  knights. 
Six  thousand  and  two  hundred  good  esquires ; 
And,  to  relief  of  lazars  and  weak  age. 
Of  indigent  faint  souls  past  corporal  toil, 
A  hundred  almshouses  right  well  supplied ; 
And  to  the  coffers  of  the  king  beside, 

Sc.  I.  Canterbury,    This  was     king's  attention  from  hit  confis- 
Henrie  Chichele.     Shakespeare     cation  bill 
follows  the  chronicles  in  attribut-         ^    ^^w-  same, 
ing  to  him  the  chief  share  in  the 
clerical  plot  for  diverting  the         4.  teambiingt  turbulent 

VOL.  VII  17  C 


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King  Henry  the  Fifth 


ACT  I 


A  thousand  pounds  by  the  year :  thus  runs  the  bill 

Ely,  This  would  drink  deep. 

Cant  'Twould  drink  the  cup  and  alL  m 

Ely,  But  what  prevention  ? 

Cant  The  king  is  full  of  grace  and  fair  regard. 

Ely.  And  a  true  lover  of  the  holy  church. 

Cant  The  courses  of  his  youth  promised  it  not 
The  breath  no  sooner  left  his  father's  body, 
But  that  his  wildness,  mortified  in  him, 
Seem'd  to  die  too ;  yea,  at  that  very  moment 
Consideration,  like  an  angel,  came 
And  whipp'd  the  offending  Adam  out  of  him, 
Leaving  his  body  as  a  paradise,  30 

To  envelope  and  contain  celestial  spirits. 
Never  was  such  a  sudden  scholar  made ; 
Never  came  reformation  in  a  flood, 
With  such  a  heady  currance,  scouring  faults ; 
Nor  never  Hydra-headed  wilfulness 
So  soon  did  lose  his  seat  and  all  at  once 
As  in  this  king. 

Ely,  We  are  blessed  in  the  change* 

Cant  Hear  him  but  reason  in  divinity. 
And  all-admiring  with  an  inward  wish 
You  would  desire  the  king  were  made  a  prelate :      ^ 
Hear  him  debate  of  commonwealth  affairs, 
You  would  say  it  hath  been  all  in  all  his  study : 
List  his  discourse  of  war,  and  you  shall  hear 
A  fearful  battle  rendered  you  in  music : 
Turn  him  to  any  cause  of  policy, 
The  Gordian  knot  of  it  he  will  unloose, 
Familiar  as  his  garter :  that,  when  he  speaks^ 

\^.  A  thousand  pounds  by  the  interest   therefore    at  five    per 

year,     '  HaU  and  H<rfinshed  the  cent '  (Wright), 
principal  sum      "Andtheldng         ^g.  Consideration,  saiovan^ 

to  have   clerdy  to   his   cofers  flection, 
twentie     thousand     poundes" 

(Hall).      Shakespeare  reckons         34.  eurmnce,  tmnai, 
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8c.  I  King  Henry  the  Fifth 

The  air,  a  chartered  libertine,  is  still, 

And  the  mnte  wonder  hirketh  in  men's  ears, 

To  steal  his  sweet  and  hone/d  sentences ;  so 

So  that  the  art  and  practic  part  of  life 

Must  be  the  mistress  to  this  theoric : 

Which  is  a  wonder  how  his  grace  should  glean  it. 

Since  his  addiction  was  to  courses  vain. 

His  companies  unlettered,  rude  and  shallow, 

His  hours  filFd  up  with  riots,  banquets,  sports. 

And  never  noted  in  him  any  study. 

Any  retirement,  any  sequestration 

From  open  haunts  and  popularity. 

Ely.    The   strawberry   grows   underneath   die 
nettle,  60 

And  wholesome  berries  thrive  and  ripen  best 
Neighboured  by  fruit  of  baser  quality : 
And  so  the  prince  obscured  his  contemplation 
Under  die  veil  of  wildness ;  whidi,  no  doubt, 
Grew  like  the  summer  grass,  fastest  by  night. 
Unseen,  yet  crescive  in  his  faculty. 

Cant,  It  must  be  so ;  for  miracles  are  ceased ; 
And  therefore  we  must  needs  admit  the  means 
How  things  are  perfected. 

Ely.  But,  my  good  lord, 

51.  tke  art  and  practic  part  that  Montaigne  expresses  tbis 

if  life,  eta     The  practical  life  idea  more  explicitly  in  a  passage 

must  with  him  have  been  the  (iii.  9)  which  ShsJcespeare  per- 

source  of  theoretical  knowledge,  haps  knew  in  the  originaL     In 

instead    of    the    field    for    its  FLorio's    translation    (1603)    it 

application ;      he    must    have  runs :    '  Roses  and  Violets  are 

learnt  the  principles  of  life  by  ever    the    sweeter    and    more 

living.  odoriferous,    that    grow    necn 

5a.  thtoric,  theory.  under  Garlike  and  Onions,  for- 

5t  comMnies  comoanions  asmuch  as  they  suck  and  draw 

^*        ^,     *         '^ .    .  *  all  the  ill  savours  of  the  ground 

59.    popularity,    associauon  untothcm.' 

wtUi  Uie  pubhc.  ^     crtscive  in  his  faculty, 

61,  6s.     wh»lesonu   berriet^  increasing  in  virtue  of  its  latent 

etc     It  has  been  pointed  out  capacity. 

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King  Henry  the  Fifth         ac?*  i 

How  now  for  mitigation  of  this  bill  70 

Urged  by  the  commons  ?     Doth  his  majesty 
Incline  to  it,  orno ? 

Cant,  He  seems  indifferent, 

Or  rather  swaying  more  upon  our  part 
Than  cherishing  the  exhibiters  against  us ; 
For  I  have  made  an  offer  to  his  majesty, 
Upon  our  spiritual  convocation 
And  in  regard  of  causes  now  in  hand, 
Which  I  have  open'd  to  his  grace  at  large, 
As  touching  France,  to  give  a  greater  sum 
Than  ever  at  one  time  the  clergy  yet  80 

Did  to  his  predecessors  part  withal 

Ely,  How  did  this   offer  seem   received,   my 
lord? 

Cant,  With  good  acceptance  of  his  majesty ; 
Save  that  there  was  not  time  enough  to  hear, 
As  I  perceived  his  grace  would  fain  have  done, 
The  severals  and  unhidden  passages 
Of  his  true  titles  to  some  certain  dukedoms 
And  generally  to  the  crown  and  seat  of  France 
Derived  from  Edward,  his  great-grandfather. 

Ely,  What  was  the  impediment  that  broke  this 

off?  90 

Cant,  The  French  ambassador  upon  that  instant 
Craved  audience ;  and  the  hour,  I  think,  is  come 
To  give  him  hearing :  is  it  four  o'clock  ? 

Ely.  It  is. 

Cant,  Then  go  we  in,  to  know  his  embassy ; 
Which  I  could  with  a  ready  guess  declare. 
Before  the  Frenchman  speak  a  word  of  it 

Ely,  I  *11  wait  upon  you,  and  I  long  to  hear  it 

\Exeunt, 

74.  exhibiters^  introducers  of         86.  unhidden  passages,  mani- 
the  bill  in  Parliament.  fest    courses    or    channels    of 

86.  severals^  details.  descent 

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8C.  II 


King  Henry  the  Fifth 


Scene  II.     The  same.     Tfu  Presence  chamber. 

Enter  King  Henry,  Gloucester,  Bedford^ 
Exeter,  Warwick,  Westmoreland,  and 
Attendants. 

K.   Hen.  Where  is  my  gracious  Lord  of  Can- 
terbury ? 

Exe,  Not  here  in  presence. 

K.  Hen.  Send  for  him,  good  uncle. 

West.  Shall  we   call   in   the   ambassador,    my 
liege? 

K.  Hen.  Not  yet,   my  cousin ;  we   would    be 
resolved, 
Before  we  hear  him,  of  some  things  of  weight 
That  task  our  thoughts,  concerning  us  and  France. 

Enter  the  Archbishop  of  Canterbury,  and 
the  Bishop  of  Ely. 

Cant.  God  and  his  angels  guard  your  sacred 

throne 
And  make  you  long  become  it ! 

K.  Hen.  Sure,  we  thank  you. 

My  learned  lord,  we  pray  you  to  proceed 
And  justly  and  religiously  unfold  lo 

Why  the  law  Salique  that  they  have  in  France 
Or  should,  or  should  not,  bar  us  in  our  claim  : 
And  God  forbid,  my  dear  and  faithful  lord. 
That  you   should   fashion,    wrest,    or    bow  your 

reading, 
Or  nicely  charge  your  understanding  soul 

4.    cousin.       Westmoreland  Gaunt,  half  sister  of  Henry  IV., 

'was  a  cousin  only  by  marriage,  and  aimt  of  the  king. 
He  had  married,  as  his  second         14.  bavo^  warp. 
wife,   a  daughter  tA  John  of         15.  nicely,  sophistkaUy. 


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King  Henry  the  Fifth         acti 

With  opening  titles  miscreate,  whose  right 

Suits  not  in  native  colours  with  the  truth ; 

For  God  doth  know  how  many  now  in  health 

Shall  drop  their  blood  in  approbation 

Of  what  your  reverence  shall  incite  us  to.  ao 

Therefore  take  heed  how  you  impawn  our  person, 

How  you  awake  our  sleeping  sword  of  war : 

We  charge  you,  in  the  name  of  God,  take  heed ; 

For  never  two  such  kingdoms  did  contend 

Without  much  fall  of  blood ;  whose  guiltless  drops 

Are  every  one  a  woe,  a  sore  complaint 

'Gainst  him   whose  wrongs  give   edge  unto  the 

swords 
That  make  such  waste  in  brief  mortality. 
Under  this  conjuration  speak,  my  lord ; 
For  we  will  hear,  note  and  believe  in  heart  y 

That  what  you  speak  is  in  your  conscience  wash'd 
As  pure  as  sin  with  baptismi 

Cant,  Then  hear  me,  gracious  sovereign,  and 
you  peers. 
That  owe  yourselves,  your  lives  and  services, 
To  this  imperial  throne.     There  is  no  bar 
To  make  against  your  highness'  claim  to  France 
But  this,  which  they  produce  from  Pharamond, 
^  In  terram  Salicam  mulieres  ne  succedant : ' 
*  No  woman  shall  succeed  in  Salique  land :  * 
Which  Salique  land  the  French  unjustly  glose  40 

To  be  the  realm  of  France,  and  Pharamond 
The  founder  of  this  law  and  female  bar. 
Yet  their  own  authors  faithfully  affirm 
That  the  land  Salique  is  in  Germany, 
Between  the  floods  of  Sala  and  of  Elbe ; 

19.     in    approbation    oft    in  33  f.  The  whole  of  the  arch- 

proving,  making  good.  bishop's  exposition  is  t^en  firom 

3a.  As  pure  as  nn,  (csmcistXy     Holinshed,  in  parts  almost  vroid 
expressed  for)  *  as  pure  as  the     for  word, 
heart  from  sin.'  40.  ghstt  eaq)lain. 

as 


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ic.li         King  Henry  the  Fifth 

Where  Charles  the  Great,  having  subdued  the 

Saxons, 
There  left  behind  and  settled  certain  French ; 
Who,  holding  in  disdain  the  German  women 
For  some  dishonest  manners  of  their  life, 
Established  then  this  law ;  to  wit,  no  female  50 

Should  be  inheritrix  in  Salique  land  : 
Which  Salique,  as  I  said,  Hwtxt  Elbe  and  Sala, 
Is  at  this  day  in  Germany  call'd  Meisen. 
Then  doth  it  weU  zppezi  the  Salique  law 
Was  not  devised  for  the  realm  of  France ; 
Nor  did  the  French  possess  the  Salique  land 
Until  four  hundred  one  and  twenty  years 
After  defunction  of  Ring  Pharamond, 
Idly  supposed  tte  founder  of  this  law ; 
Who  died  wittiin  the  year  of  our  redemption  60 

Four  hundred  twenty-six ;  and  Charles  the  Great 
Subdued  the  Saxons,  and  did  seat  the  French 
Beyond  the  river  Sala,  in  the  year 
Eight  hundred  five.     Besides,  their  writers  say. 
King  Pepin,  which  deposed  Childeric, 
Did,  as  heir  general,  being  descended 
Of  Blithild,  which  was  daughter  to  King  Clothair, 
Make  claim  and  title  to  the  crown  of  France. 
Hugh  Capet  also,  who  usurp*d  the  crown 
Of  Charles  the  duke  of  Lorraine,  sole  heir  male       70 
Of  the  true  line  and  stock  of  Charles  the  Great, 
To  find  his  title  with  some  shows  of  truth. 
Though,  in  pure  truth,  it  was  corrupt  and  naught. 
Conveyed  himself  as  heir  to  the  Lady  Lingare, 

49.  dishonest,  unchaste.  72.  Jlndt  furnish,  proride. 

57,61,64.  The  numbers  and  74.  Convey' d  himse^  as,  %\Q\>e 

the  reckonmg  are  from  Holin-  into  the  position  of,  contriyed  to 

died.      As  Rolfe  pointed  out,  pass  himself  off  as. 

he  seems  to  have  deducted  405  74.  Lingare.     Holinshed  has 

from  896,  instead  of  496  from  '  Lingard. '      Her  actual  name 

805.  was  Lintgard. 

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King  Henry  the  Fifth         acti 

Daughter  to  Charlemain,  who  was  the  son 

To  Lewis  the  emperor,  and  Lewis  the  son 

Of  Charles  the  Great.    Also  King  Lewis  the  Tenth, 

Who  was  sole  heir  to  the  usurper  Capet, 

Could  not  keep  quiet  in  his  conscience, 

Wearing  the  crown  of  France,  till  satisfied  80 

That  fair  Queen  Isabel,  his  grandmother. 

Was  lineal  of  the  Lady  Ermengare, 

Daughter  to  Charles  the  foresaid  duke  of  Lorraine  : 

By  the  which  marriage  the  line  of  Charles  the 

Great 
Was  re-united  to  the  crown  of  France. 
So  that,  as  clear  as  is  the  summer's  sun, 
King  Pepin's  title  and  Hug^  Capet's  claim, 
King  Lewis  his  satisfaction,  all  appear 
To  hold  in  right  and  title  of  the  female : 
So  do  the  kings  of  France  unto  this  day ;  90 

Howbeit  they  would  hold  up  this  Salique  law 
To  bar  your  highness  claiming  from  the  female. 
And  rather  choose  to  hide  them  in  a  net 
Than  amply  to  imbar  their  crooked  titles 
Usurp'd  from  you  and  your  progenitors. 

7$.   Charlemairit  i.e.    Carlo-  and  Theobald  •imbare,*  which 

man  (Carlman).       Historically  has  been  widely  adopted,  and 

it  was  Charles  the  Bold.  forms  a  plausible  antithesis  to 

76.       Lewis    (monosyllabic  'hide.'      But  the  antithesis  in- 

throughout).  tended  is  not  merely  between 

'j'j.  Lewis   the    Tenth,      So  frankness  and  subterfuge,   but 

Holinshed.     Historically  it  was  between  an  open  and  a  cralty 

Lewis  IX.  method    of    defence.        Hence 

8a.    lineal    of    directly   de-  Knight       properly        restored 

scended  from.  '  imbar '  from  Ff,  in  the  sense 

88.     Lewis  his  satisfaction,  of  'bar  in,'   'fortify,'   'secure.' 

Lewis's  conviction,  release  from  The  French  prefer  '  to  shelter 

uncertainty.  themselves    under    a    delusive 

93.  a  net,  i.e.  of  flimsy  api>eal  to  the  Salic  law»  which 
sophistries.  excludes  their  claim  as  well  as 

94.  amply  to  imbar.  F^  F^  ours,  instead  of  directly  and 
*  imbarre ' ;  Qq  '  imbace,'  '  em-  unreservedly  defending  their  tiUe 
brace. '    Rowe  read  *  make  bare '     as  nevertheless  the  better. ' 

24 


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$c.  II         King  Henry  the  Fifth 

EL  Hen,  May  I  with  right  and  conscience  make 
this  claim  ? 

Cant,  The  sin  upon  my  head,  dread  soiwreign  1 
For  in  the  book  of  Numbers  is  it  writ, 
When  the  man  dies,  let  the  inheritance 
Descend  unto  the  daug^tar.     Gracious  lord,  i<m 

Stand  for  your  own ;  unwind  your  bloody  flag ; 
Look  back  into  your  mighty  ancestors : 
Go,  my  dread  lord,  to  your  great-^grandsire's  tomb. 
From  whom  you  cjaim;  invoke  his  warlike  spirit, 
And  your  great-uncle's,  Edward  the  Black  Prince, 
Who  on  the  French  ground  play*d  a  tragedy, 
Making  defeat  on  the  full  power  of  France, 
Whiles  his  most  mighty  fattier  on  a  hill 
Stood  smiling  to  behold  his  lion's  whdp 
Forage  in  blood  of  French  nobility.  xio 

O  noble  English,  that  could  entertain 
With  half  their  forces  the  full  pride  of  France 
And  let  another  half  stand  laughing  by, 
All  out  of  work  and  cold  for  action  I 

Ely,  Awake  remembrance  of  these  valiant  dead 
And  with  your  puissant  arm  renew  their  feats : 
You  are  their  heir ;  you  sit  upon  their  throne ; 
The  blood  and  courage  that  renowned  them 
Runs  in  your  veins ;  and  my  thrice-puissant  liege 
Is  in  the  very  May-mom  of  hb  youth,  xm 

Ripe  for  exploits  and  mighty  enterprises. 

Exe,  Your  brother  kings  and  monarchs  of  the 
earth 
Do  all  expect  that  you  should  rouse  yourself^ 
As  did  the  former  lions  of  your  blood. 

98.  in  the  book  of  Numbers.  114.    coid  for  action,  Le.  in 

This  is  from  Holinshed.     He  respect  of  action  ;    nearly  '  for 

refers  to  the  case  of  the  daughters  want  of  action ' ;  not  heated  by 

of  Zelc^ehad,  zxvii.  1*1 1.  taking  part  in  the  fi^^t. 

loi.  bloody  fiag^  flag  of  war. 


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King  Henry  the  Fifth         acti 

West  They  know  your  grace  hatb  cause  and 

means  and  might ; 
So  hath  your  highness ;  never  king  of  England 
Had  nobles  richer  and  more  loyal  subjects, 
Whose  hearts  have  kft  their  bodies  here  in  Engknd 
And  lie  pavilioned  in  the  fields  of  France. 

Cant  O,  let  their  bodies  follow,  my  dear  liege,  tyo 
With  blood  and  sword  and  fire  to  win  your  right ; 
In  aid  whereof  we  of  die  spiritualty 
Will  raise  your  highness  such  a  m^ty  sum 
As  never  did  the  clergy  at  one  time 
Bring  in  to  any  of  your  ancestors. 

JC  Ben,  We  must  not  only  arm  to  invade  the 

French, 
But  lay  down  our  proportions  to  defend 
Against  the  Scot,  who  will  make  road  upon  us 
With  all  advantages. 

Cant  They  of  those  marches,  gracious  sovereign,  140 
Shall  be  a  wall  sufficient  to  defend 
Our  inland  from  die  pilfering  bordecers. 

K  Hen,  We  do  not  mean  the  coursmgsnatchers 

only. 
But  fear  the  main  intendment  of  the  Scot, 
Who  hath  been  still  a  giddy  neighbour  to  us ; 
For  you  shall  read  that  my  great-grandfather 
Never  went  with  his  forces  into  France 
But  that  the  Scot  on  his  unfumish'd  kingdom 
Came  pouring,  like  the  tide  into  a  breach, 
With  ample  and  brim  fulness  of  his  force,  150 

ia6.  So  hath  your  highness:         144.  ^main  intendmeftt,  the 

the  emphasis  is  on  '  hath ' ;  there  attack  in  chief ;  a  fonnal  Scottisll 

is  no  antithesis  between  'high-  invasion, 
ness '  and  *  grace. '  145.  giddy,  untrustworthy. 

i27,lc^£nm  our  proportions,  150.    brim  fuhtess;    *brira' 

assign   the  number    of   troops  from  its  use  as  an  adverlnal 

requisite.  determinant  in  'brimful'  is  hers 

143.      courting      sntUehers,  used  as  an  adjectival  dcurmi- 

raiders.  nant  to  fulness, 

36 


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ac.  u         King  Henry  the  Fifth 

Galling  the  gleaned  land  with  hot  assays, 
Girding  with  grievous  siege  castles  and  towns ; 
That  England,  being  empty  of  defence, 
Hath  shook  and  trembled  at  the  ill  neighbourhood. 

Cani.   She  hath  been  then  more  fear'd  than 
harm'd,  my  liege ; 
For  hear  her  but  exam{ded  by  herself: 
When  all  her  chivalry  hath  been  in  France 
And  she  a  mourning  widow  of  her  nobles, 
She  hath  herself  not  only  well  defended 
But  taken  and  impounded  as  a  stray  ife 

The  King  of  Scots ;  whom  she  did  send  to  France, 
To  fill  King  Edward's  fame  with  priaoner  kings 
And  make  her  chronicle  as  rich  with  praise 
As  is  the  ooze  and  bottom  of  the  sea 
With  sunken  ^n-eck  and  sumless  treasuries. 

West  Bixt  there's  a  saying  very  old  and  tru^ 
'  If  that  you  will  France  win, 
Then  with  Scotland  first  begin : ' 
For  once  the  ea^  England  being  in  prey, 
To  her  unguarded  nest  the  weasel  Scot  i7» 

Comes  sneaking  and  so  sucks  her  princely  eggs» 
Playing  the  mouse  in  absence  of  the  cat, 
To  tear  and  havoc  more  than  she  can  eat 

Exe.  It  follows  then  the  cat  mi£it  stay  at  home : 
Yet  that  is  but  a  crush'd  necessity, 

151.    gleaned,    bai«    of   de^         166  f.    WestmoreUmd,     InFf 

fenders.  the  following  speech  is  given  to 

151.  assays,  assaults.  Exeter,  in  Qq  to  'a  lord.'     In 

155.  feared,  frightened.  Holinshed    the    corresponding 

161.  The  King  of  Scots,  King  speech  is  spoken  bj  Westmoro- 
David,  talcen  at  NeviUe*s  Cross,  land  ;  hence  CapeU  restored  his 
1346.  name  here. 

162.  prisoner  kings;  King  173.  tear.  Rowe's  emenda- 
John  of  France  was  likewise  tion  for  Ff  '  tame/  Qq  *  specie.' 
taken.  175.    crmh'd   mmtisity,    one 

163.  ker  chrmiicU:  Capell's  that  is  overborne,  aamhilated, 
oonection  of  Ff*  their  chronicle.'  by  contrary  reaaona.     So  Ff; 

16s*  irwMtfrMt,  trtasures.  Qq*  curst.' 

«7 


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King  Henry  the  Fifth         act  i 

Since  we  have  locks  to  safeguard  necessaries, 
And  pretty  traps  to  catch  the  petty  thieves. 
While  that  the  armed  hand  doth  fight  abroad, 
The  advised  head  defends  itself  at  home ; 
For  government,  though  high  and  low  and  lower,    iSo 
Put  into  parts,  doth  keep  in  one  consent, 
Congreeing  in  a  full  and  natural  close. 
Like  music. 

Cant         Therefore  doth  heaven  divide 
The  state  of  man  in  divers  functions, 
Setting  endeavour  in  continual  motion ; 
To  which  is  fixed,  as  an  aim  or  butt. 
Obedience :  for  so  work  the  honey-bees. 
Creatures  that  by  a  rule  in  nature  teach 
The  act  of  order  to  a  peopled  kingdom. 
They  have  a  king  and  officers  of  sorts ;  190 

Where  some,  like  magistrates,  correct  at  home. 
Others,  like  merchants,  venture  trade  abroad, 
Others,  hke  soldiers,  armed  in  their  stings. 
Make  boot  upon  the  summer's  velvet  buds. 
Which  pillage  they  with  merry  march  bring  home 
To  the  tent-royal  of  then:  emperor ; 
Who,  busied  in  his  majesty,  surveys 
The  singing  masons  building  roofs  of  gold, 
The  civil  citizens  kneading  up  the  honey. 
The  poor  mechanic  porters  crowding  in  mo 

Their  heavy  burdens  at  his  narrow  gate. 
The  sad-eyed  justice,  with  his  surly  hum. 
Delivering  o'er  to  executors  pale 
The  lazy  yawning  drone.     I  this  infer, 
That  many  things,  having  full  reference 
To  one  consent,  may  work  contrariously : 

zSi.  farts,  i.e.  musical  parts.  190.  cf  sorts ^  of  various  lanks 

ib.    consent,  harmony.  or  classes. 

i8a.  Congreeing,  agreeing.  194.  Make  boot,  prey. 

ib.    fibw,  cadence.  3oa.jtfdr-<rv«/,  of  grave  aspect 

189.  act,  practice.  203.  executors,  executiooers. 

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8c.  u         King  Henry  the  Fifth 

As  many  arrows,  loosed  several  ways> 

Come  to  one  mark ;  as  many  ways  meet  in  one 

town; 
As  many  fresh  streams  meet  in  one  salt  sea ; 
As  many  lines  close  in  the  dial's  centre ;  tfo 

So  may  a  thousand  actions,  once  afoot. 
End  in  one  purpose,  and  be  all  well  borne 
Without  defeat     Therefore  to  France,  my  liege. 
Divide  your  happy  England  into  four ; 
Whereof  take  you  one  quarter  into  France, 
And  you  withal  shall  make  all  Gallia  shake. 
If  we,  with  thrice  such  powers  left  at  home. 
Cannot  defend  our  own  doors  from  the  dog. 
Let  us  be  worried  and  our  nation  lose 
The  name  of  hardiness  and  poHcy.  no 

K,  Hen,  Call  in  the  messengers  sent  from  the 
Dauphin.  \Exeunt  some  Attendants, 

Now  are  we  well  resolved ;  and,  by  God's  help, 
And  yours,  the  noble  sinews  of  our  power, 
France  being  ours,  we  '11  bend  it  to  our  awe. 
Or  break  it  all  to  pieces :  or  there  we  11  sit, 
Ruling  in  large  and  ample  empery 
O'er  France  and  all  her  almost  kingly  dukedoms, 
Or  lay  these  bones  in  an  unworthy  urn, 
Tombless,  with  no  remembrance  over  them : 
Either  our  history  shall  with  full  mouth  S30 

Speak  freely  of  our  acts,  or  else  our  grave, 
Like  Turkish  mute,  shall  have  a  tongueless  mouth. 
Not  worshipp'd  with  a  waxen  epitaph. 

Enter  Ambassadors  of  France. 
Now  are  we  well  prepared  to  know  the  pleasure 

320.  hardiness,  valour.  shall  be  undistinguished,  'with 

no  remembrance  over  it,*  not 
331,  333.    our    grcofti     HJU     honoured    even    by    the    most 
Turkish  muU,  etc. ,  our  grave     ephemeral  eiHtaf^ 

«9 


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King  Henry  the  Fifth         act  i 

Of  our  fair  cousin  Dauphin ;  for  we  hear 
Your  greeting  is  from  him,  not  from  the  king. 

First  Amb,  May 't  please  your  majesty  to  give 
us  leave 
Freely  to  render  what  we  have  in  charge ; 
Or  shall  we  sparingly  show  you  far  off 
The  Dauphin's  meaning  and  our  embassy  ?  t^o 

K,  Hen.   We  are  no  tyrant,  but  a  Christian 
king; 
Unto  whose  grace  our  passion  is  as  subject 
As  are  our  wretches  fetter'd  in  our  prisons : 
Therefore  with  frank  and  with  uncurbed  plainness 
Tell  us  the  Dauphin's  mind. 

First  Amb.  Thus,  then,  in  few. 

Your  highness,  lately  sending  into  France, 
Did  claim  some  certain  duk^oms,  in  the  right 
Of   your  great  predecessor.    King   Edward  t^e 

Third 
In  answer  of  which  claim,  the  prince  our  master 
Says  that  you  savour  too  much  of  your  youth,         «$• 
And  bids  you  be  advised  there 's  nought  in  France 
That  can  be  with  a  niml:^  galliard  won ; 
You  cannot  revel  into  dukedoms  there. 
He  therefore  sends  you,  meeter  for  your  spirit, 
This  tun  of  treasure ;  and,  in  Ueu  of  this, 
Desires  you  let  the  dukedoms  that  you  claim 
Hear  no  mott  of  you.     This  the  Dauphin  speaks. 

K,  Hen.  What  treasure,  uncle  ? 

Exe.  Tennis-balls,  my  liege. 

K.  Hen.  We  are  glad  the  Dauphin  is  so  pleasant 
with  us ; 
His  present  and  your  pains  we  thank  you  for :        96a 
When  we  have  matched  our  rackets  to  these  balls, 

253.  gaUiardt  a  light,  quick         355.  in  lieu  of  this^  in  con- 
daooe.  sideration  of  this. 

355.  iun  :  probably  a  keg. 

30 


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ac.  u         King  Henry  the  Fifth 

We  will,  in  France,  by  God's  grace,  piay  a  set 
Shall  strike  his  father's  crown  into  the  hazard. 
Tell  him  he  hath  made  a  match  with  such  a 

wrangler 
That  all  the  courts  of  France  will  be  disturbed 
With  chaces.     And  we  understand  him  wdl, 
How  he  comes  o'er  us  with  our  wilder  days, 
Not  measuring  what  use  we  made  of  them. 
We  never  valued  this  poor  seat  of  England ; 
And  therefore,  living  hence,  did  give  ourself  S70 

To  barbarous  license ;  as  'tis  ever  common 
That  men  are  merriest  when  they  are  from  home. 
But  tdl  the  Dauphin  I  will  keep  my  state^ 
Be  like  a  king  and  show  my  sail  of  greatness 
When  I  do  rouse  me  in  my  throne  of  France : 
For  that  I  have  laid  by  my  majesty 
And  plodded  Uke  a  man  for  workhig-days, 
But  I  will  rise  there  with  so  full  a  glory 
That  I  will  dazzle  all  the  eyes  of  France, 
Yea,  strike  the  Dauphin  blind  to  lode  on  us.  ftSo 

And  tell  the  pleasant  prince  this  mock  of  his 
Hath  tum'd  his  balls  to  gun-stones ;  and  his  soul 
ShaU  stand  sore  charged  for  the  wasteful  venge- 
ance 
That  shall  fly  with  them:  for  many  a  thousand 
widows 


363.  the  hoMord,   The 'lower  ji66.    c;Aa^// 'tedmicallf,  in 

hazaid '  was  the  technical  name,  tennis, ' matches/  also ' strokes' ; 

In  tennis,  for  a  certain  hole  in  but  likewise  with  a  reference  to 

the  wall  of  the  tennis-court,  near  the  sense,  pursuits. 

the  ground.     *  A  stroke  into  the  267.    comes   o'er   us,   taunts 

lower  hazard  would  be  a  winning  us. 

stroke '  (J.  Marshall,  ^iKiM/r  ^  376.  For  that.      So  Ff ;   Qq 

Tenrns).     Hence  the  expression  *  for  this.* 

is  literally  equivalent  to  '  win  the  aSs.    gun  -  stones.     Cannon* 

game. '    But  there  is,  as  through-  balls  were  at  first  made  of  stone. 

out  the  passage,  a  reference  to  383.    wastefult  wasting,  de- 

the  ordinSuy  sense  of  the  word.  structive. 


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King  Hcnty  the  Fifth         acti 

Shall  this  his  mock  mock  out  of  their  dear  hus- 
bands ; 
Mock  mothers  from  their  sons,  mock  castles  down ; 
And  some  are  yet  ungotten  and  unborn 
That  shall  have  cause  to  curse  the  Dauphin's  scora 
But  this  lies  all  within  the  will  of  God, 
To  whom  I  do  appeal ;  and  in  whose  name  990 

Tell  you  the  Dauphin  I  am  coming  on, 
To  venge  me  as  I  may  and  to  put  forth 
My  rightful  hand  in  a  well-hallowed  cause. 
So  get  you  hence  in  peace ;  and  tell  the  Dauphin 
His  jest  will  savour  but  of  shallow  wit, 
When  thousands  weep  more  than  did  laugh  at  it 
Convey  them  with  safe  conduct     Fare  you  well. 

[Exeunt  Ambassadors. 

JSxe,  This  was  a  merry  message. 

JT.  Hen,  We  hope  to  make  the  sender  blush 
at  it 
Therefore,  my  lords,  omit  no  happy  hour  300 

That  may  give  furtherance  to  our  expedition ; 
For  we  have  now  no  thought  in  us  but  France, 
Save  those  to  God,  that  run  before  our  business. 
Therefore  let  our  proportions  for  these  wars 
Be  soon  collected  and  all  things  thought  upon 
That  may  with  reasonable  swiftness  add 
More  feathers  to  our  wings ;  for,  God  before, 
We  11  chide  this  Dauphin  at  his  father's  door. 
Therefore  let  every  man  now  task  his  thought, 
That  this  fair  action  may  on  foot  be  brought  310 

\Exeunt,     Flourish. 

304.  proportions.    Cf.  v.  137  formly  intelligent  action, 
above. 

306.  reasonable^    intelligent;  307.  God  before^  with  God's 

a  swiftness  consistent  with  uni-  guidance. 


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ACT  II         King  Henry  the  Fifth 


ACT  II. 

PROLOGUE. 

Flourish,     Enter  Chorus. 

Chor.  Now  all  the  youth  of  England  are  on  fire, 
And  silken  dalliance  in  the  wardrobe  lies  : 
Now  thrive  the  armourers,  and  honour's  thought 
Reigns  solely  in  the  breast  of  every  man  : 
They  sell  the  pasture  now  to  buy  the  horse, 
Following  the  mirror  of  all  Christian  kings, 
With  winged  heels,  as  English  Mercuries. 
For  now  sits  Expectation  in  the  air. 
And  hides  a  sword  from  hilts  unto  the  point 
With  crowns  imperial,  crowns  and  coronets,  i© 

Promised  to  Harry  and  his  followers. 
The  French,  advised  by  good  intelligence 
Of  this  most  dreadful  preparation. 
Shake  in  their  fear  and  with  pale  policy 
Seek  to  divert  the  English  purposes. 
O  England !  model  to  thy  inward  greatness, 
Like  little  body  with  a  mighty  heart. 
What  mightst  thou  do,  that  honour  would  thee  do, 
Were  all  thy  children  kind  and  natural ! 
But  see  thy  fault !     France  hath  in  thee  found  out  ao 
A  nest  of  hollow  bosoms,  which  he  fills 
With  treacherous  crowns;  and  three  corrupted  men. 
One,  Richard  Earl  of  Cambridge,  and  the  second, 

16.  model  to,  image  in  little  father  of  Richard  Duke  of  York, 

of.     The  physical  and  material  and  grandfather  of  Edmund  IV. 

England  is  but  a  miniature  re-  He  conspired  in  favour  of  his 

flection  of  her  giant  spirit.  brother-in-law,  Edmund  Mor- 

19.  kind,  filial.  timer,  whose  superior  title  to  the 

23.    Richard  Earl  of  Cant'  crown  (admitted  in  Henry  VI,) 

bridge,    cousin  of  Henry   IV.,  is  here  ignored. 

VOL.  VII  33  D 


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1 


King  Henry  the  Fifth        act  n 

Henry  Lord  Scroop  of  Masham,  and  the  third, 

Sir  Thomas  Grey,  knight,  of  Northumberland, 

Have,  for  the  gilt  of  France, — O  guilt  indeed  ! — 

Confirmed  conspiracy  with  fearful  France ; 

And  by  their  hands  this  grace  of  kings  must  die, 

If  hell  and  treason  hold  their  promises, 

Ere  he  take  ship  for  France,  and  in  Southampton.    30 

Linger  your  patience  on,  and  we  '11  digest 

The  abuse  of  distance,  force  a  play  : 

The  sum  is  paid ;  the  traitors  are  agreed ; 

The  king  is  set  from  London ;  and  the  scene 

Is  now  transported,  gentles,  to  Southampton ; 

There  is  the  playhouse  now,  there  must  you  sit : 

And  thence  to  France  shall  we  convey  you  safe, 

And  bring  you  back,  charming  the  narrow  seas 

To  give  you  gentle  pass ;  for,  if  we  may, 

We  '11  not  offend  one  stomach  with  our  play.  40 

But,  till  the  king  come  forth,  and  not  till  then, 

Unto  Southampton  do  we  shift  our  scene.     [Exit 


Scene  I.     London.     A  street 

Enter  Corporal  Nym  and  Lieutenant  Bardolph. 
Bard,  Well  met.  Corporal  Nym. 

24.  Henry  Lord  Scroop;  son  3a.  force  a  flay,  compel  the 

ofSir  Stephen  Scroop  in  ^r^^n/  reluctant    material    to    assume 

//. ,  and  step-brother  of  the  Earl  dramatic  form.     Some  corrup- 

of  Cambridge.  tion  is  however  probable,  from 

a6.  gilt,  gold.  the  imperfect  metre. 

27.  fearful  timid.  ^^^  ^^  ^^ 

31.  Linger  on,  prolong. 

ib.  digest  the  abuseof  distance,  41.  But,  till  the  hing  come 

manage,    dispose  of,   the  awk-  forth,  and  not  till  then,  etc.    An 

wardness  imposed  by  the  vast  elliptical  sentence:  'Till  the  king 

and  rapid   movements  of   the  comes  (our  scene   remains   in 

action.     Others  interpret,    '  ar-  London) ;  when  he  comes,  and 

range,  or  contrive,  the  illusion  not    till    then,   we  shift   it  to 

of  distance. '  Southampton. ' 

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sc.  I  King  Henry  the  Fifth 

Nym.  Good  morrow,  Lieutenant  Bardolph. 

Bard,  What,  are  Ancient  Pistol  and  you  friends 
yet? 

Nym.  For  my  part,  I  care  not:  I  say  little; 
but  when  time  shall  serve,  there  shall  be  smiles ; 
but  that  shall  be  as  it  may.  I  dare  not  fight ;  but 
I  will  wink  and  hold  out  mine  iron :  it  is  a  simple 
one ;  but  what  though  ?  it  will  toast  cheese,  and 
it  will  endure  cold  as  another  man's  sword  will : 
and  there 's  an  end 

Bard,  I  will  bestow  a  breakfast  to  make  you 
friends ;  and  we  '11  be  all  three  sworn  brothers  to 
France :  let  it  be  so,  good  Corporal  Nym. 

Nym,  Faith,  I  will  live  so  long  as  I  may,  that 's 
the  certain  of  it;  and  when  I  cannot  live  any 
longer,  I  will  do  as  I  may :  that  is  my  rest,  that 
is  the  rendezvous  of  it. 

Bard,  It  is  certain,  corporal,  that  he  is  married 
to  Nell  Quickly :  and  certainly  she  did  you 
wrong ;  for  you  were  troth-plight  to  her. 

Nym,  I  cannot  tell:  things  must  be  as  they 
may:  men  may  sleep,  and  they  may  have  their 
throats  about  them  at  that  time;  and  some  say 
knives  have  edges.  It  must  be  as  it  may :  though 
patience  be  a  tired  mare,  yet  she  will  plod.  There 
must  be  conclusions.     Well,  I  cannot  tell 

Enter  Pistol  and  Hostess. 
Bard,    Here  comes   Ancient    Pistol  and    his 


8.  winky  shut  my  eyes.  the  game  of  primero, — make  my 

13.  sworn  brothers  to  France,  wager,  stand  to  win  or  lose. 
comrades  pledged  to  share  all         26.  mare;  Theobald's  correc- 

fortmies  in  the  French  expedi-  tion  for  '  name. ' 
tion.  37.    conclusions,      attempts. 

17.  iwyre*/,  my  resolve;  from  Nym  cautiously  avails   himself 

the  phrase  '  set  up  my  rest/  in  of  the  antiquity  of  the  word. 

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King  Henry  the  Fifth        act  n 

wife :  good  corporal,  be  patient  here.     How  now, 
mine  host  Pistol  i  3o 

Fist  Base  tike,  call'st  thou  me  host  ? 
Now,  by  this  hand,  I  swear,  I  scorn  the  term ; 
Nor  shall  my  Nell  keep  lodgers. 

Host  No,  by  my  troth,  not  long ;  for  we  can- 
not lodge  and  board  a  dozen  or  fourteen  gentle- 
women that  live  honestly  by  the  prick  of  their 
needles,  but  it  will  be  thought  we  keep  a  bawdy 
house  straight.  \Nym  and  Pistol  draiv,]  O  weU 
a  day.  Lady,  if  he  be  not  drawn  now !  we  shall 
see  wilful  adultery  and  murder  committed.  40 

Bard,  Good  lieutenant!  good  corporal!  offer 
nothing  here. 

JVym,  Pish! 

jPist  Pish  for  thee,  Iceland  dog!  thou  prick- 
ear*d  cur  of  Iceland  ! 

Ifost  Good  Corporal  Nym,  show  thy  valour, 
and  put  up  your  sword. 

J\i^m,  Will  you  shog  off?  I  would  have  you 
solus. 

Fisf.  *  Solus,'  egregious  dog  ?     O  viper  vile ! 
The  *  solus '  in  thy  most  mervailous  face ;  s© 

The  '  solus '  in  thy  teeth,  and  in  thy  throat, 
And  in  thy  hateful  lungs,  yea,  in  thy  maw,  perdy. 
And,  which  is  worse,  within  thy  nasty  mouth ! 
I  do  retort  the  *  solus '  in  thy  bowels ; 
For  I  can  take,  and  PistoFs  cock  is  up, 
And  flashing  fire  will  follow. 

JVym,  I  am  not  Barbason ;  you  cannot  conjure 

31.  Hkg,  cur.  50.  mervailous;  Pistol  affects 

39.  drawn',  Theobald's prob-  an  archaic  accent  in  the  high- 
able  emendation  for  Ff  '  hewn. '  sounding  word. 

44.  Iceland  dog,  white,  long-  ,     .  .     <. 

haired  dogs,  in  favour  with  ladies  55-  '«*^»  take  tire. 

as  lapdogs.  57.  Barbason,  the  name  of  a 

47.  shog  of,  be  packing.  fiend. 

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8c.  1  King  Henry  the  Fifth 

roe.  I  have  an  humour  to  knock  you  indifferently 
well.  If  you  grow  foul  with  me,  Pistol,  I  will 
scour  you  with  my  rapier,  as  I  may,  in  fair  terms :  60 
if  you  would  walk  off,  I  would  prick  your  guts  a 
little,  in  good  terms,  as  I  may :  and  that 's  the 
humour  of  it. 

Pist    O    braggart    vile    and    damned    furious 
wight ! 
The  grave  doth  gape,  and  doting  death  is  near ; 
Therefore  exhale. 

Bard,  Hear  me,  hear  me  what  I  say :  he  that 
strikes  the  first  stroke,  I  '11  run  him  up  to  the  hilts, 
as  I  am  a  soldier.  \praws. 

Fist  An  oath  of  mickle  might ;  and  fury  shall 
abate.  70 

Give  me  thy  fist,  thy  fore-foot  to  me  give : 
Thy  spirits  are  most  tall. 

Nym,  I  will  cut  thy  throat,  one  time  or  other, 
in  fair  terms  :  that  is  the  humour  of  it. 

Pist  *  Couple  a  gorge ! ' 
That  is  the  word.     I  thee  defy  again. 

0  hound  of  Crete,  think'st  thou  my  spouse  to  get  ? 
No ;  to  the  spital  go. 

And  fi*om  the  powdering-tub  of  infamy 

Fetch  forth  the  lazar  kite  of  Cressid's  kind,  80 

Doll  Tearsheet  she  by  name,  and  her  espouse : 

1  have,  and  I  will  hold,  the  quondam  Quickly 
For  the  only  she ;  and — pauca,  there 's  enough. 
Goto. 

66.  exhale,  draw  your  sword,  in  the  treatment  of  a  disease. 

73.  tall,  sturdy,  valiant.  80.    laxar   kite   of  CressiSs 

75.    *  Couple  a  gorge*  \  prob-  kind;  Troilus'  faithless  mistress 

ably  designed  corruption.  Cressida,   according  to  Henry- 

jj.  hound  of  Crete ;  the  hunt-  son's    Testament    of    Creseide, 

ing-dogs  of  Crete  were  famous  ;  ended  her  days  as  a  leper  in  the 

but  the  term  to  Pistol  is  merely  'spital.      The   phrase    '  kite  of 

a  sounding  phrase.  Cressid's  kind '  had  already  been 

79.  the  powdering-tub,  used  used  by  Gascoigne. 

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King  Henry  the  Fifth        act  u 

Enter  the  Boy. 

Boy,  Mine  host  Pistol,  you  must  come  to  my 
master,  and  you,  hostess :  he  is  very  sick,  and 
would  to  bed.  Good  Bardolph,  put  thy  face 
between  his  sheets,  and  do  the  office  of  a  warm- 
ing-pan.    Faith,  he 's  very  ilL 

Bard.  Away,  you  rogue !  90 

Host,    By  my  troth,    he'll   yield   the   crow   a 
pudding  one  of  these  days.     The  king  has  killed 
his  heart.     Good  husband,  come  home  presently. 
\Exeunt  Hostess  and  Boy, 

Bard,  Come,  shall  I  make  you  two  friends? 
We  must  to  France  together :  why  the  devil  should 
we  keep  knives  to  cut  one  another's  throats  ? 

Pist,  Let  floods  o'erswell,  and  fiends  for  food 
howl  on ! 

Nym,  You  '11  pay  me  the  eight  shillings  I  won 
of  you  at  betting  ? 

Pist,  Base  is  the  slave  that  pays.  100 

Nym,  That  now  I  will  have :  that 's  the  humour 
of  it. 

Pist,  As  manhood  shall  compound :  push  home. 

\They  draw. 

Bard,  By  this  sword,  he  that  makes  the  first 
thrust,  I  '11  kill  him ;  by  this  sword,  I  will. 

Pist,  Sword  is  an  oath,  and  oaths  must  have 
their  course. 

Bard,  Corporal  Nym,  an  thou  wilt  be  friends, 
be  friends :  an  thou  vdlt  not,  why,  then,  be  enemies 
with  me  too.     Prithee,  put  up. 

Nym,  I  shall  have  my  eight  shillings  I  won  of  no 
you  at  betting? 

100.  Base  is  the  slave  thai  no,    in.     Nym's  speech  is 

pays;   probably  a  play-house      omitted     in     Ff,     clearly     by 
scrap.  accident. 

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sc.  I  King  Henry  the  Fifth 

Fist  A  noble  shalt  thou  have,  and  present  pay ; 
And  liquor  likewise  will  I  give  to  thee, 
And  friendship  shall  combine,  and  brotherhood : 
I  *11  live  by  Nym,  and  Nym  shall  live  by  me ; 
Is  not  this  just  ?  for  I  shall  sutler  be 
Unto  the  camp,  and  profits  will  accrue. 
Give  me  thy  hand. 

Nym,  I  shall  have  my  noble  ? 

Fist  In  cash  most  justly  paid.  lao 

Nym.  Well,  then,  that 's  the  humour  oft 

Re-enter  Hostess. 

Host  As  ever  you  came  of  women,  come  in 
quickly  to  Sir  John.  Ah,  poor  heart !  he  is  so 
shaked  of  a  burning  quotidian  tertian,  that  it  is 
most  lamentable  to  behold.  Sweet  men,  come  to 
him. 

Nym,  The  king  hath  run  bad  humours  on  the 
knight ;  that 's  the  even  of  it. 

Pist  Nym,  thou  hast  spoke  the  right ; 
His  heart  is  fracted  and  corroborate.  13© 

Nym,  The  king  is  a  good  king :  but  it  must  be 
as  it  may ;  he  passes  some  humours  and  careers. 

Pist  Let  us  condole  the  knight ;  for,  lambkins, 
we  will  live. 

112.  ^  n^^i^;  i.e.  six  shillings  130.  fracted,  \xo\xn. 

and  eigfatpence.  ib.     corroborate   (used  in  a 

lis.    Nym;  a  play  on  the     blundering   way),   probably  for 

sense  •nimming/  'theft.  corrupted. 

AiJ'       ^  .^  r             133-  passes  .   .  .   careers,  m- 

134..    quoHdtan  terhan,  for     dulgesin  sallies  of  wit ;   'to  pass 

quotidian  or  tertian  fever.  ^^3 ,  ^^  ^  ^^^^^  ^^  ^^^^^ 

138.  the  even  of  it,  just  what     manship,  meaning  to  gallop  to 
it  is.  and  fro. 


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"  1 


King  Henry  the  Fifth        acth 

Scene  II.     Southampton,     A  council-chamber. 

Enter  Exeter,  Bedford,  and  Westmoreland. 

Bed,  'Fore  God,  his  grace  is  bold,  to  trust  these 

traitors. 
Exe,  They  shall  be  apprehended  by  and  by. 
West,    How  smooth   and  even  they  do  bear 
themselves  1 
As  if  allegiance  in  their  bosoms  sat. 
Crowned  with  faith  and  constant  loyalty. 

Bed,  The  king  hath  note  of  all  that  they  intend, 
By  interception  which  they  dream  not  of. 

Exe,  Nay,  but  the  man  that  was  his  bedfellow. 
Whom  he  hath  duU'd  and  cloy'd  with  gracious 

favours, 
That  he  should,  for  a  foreign  purse,  so  sell  lo 

His  sovereign's  life  to  death  and  treachery. 

Trumpets  sound.     Enter  King  Henry,  Scroop, 
Cambridge,  Grey,  and  Attendants. 

K,  Hen^  Now  sits  the  wind  fair,  and  we  will 

aboard. 
My  Lord  of  Cambridge,  and  my  kind  Lord  of 

Masham, 
And  you,  my  gentle  knight,  give  me  your  thoughts : 
Think  you  not  that  the  powers  we  bear  with  us 
Will  cut  their  passage  through  the  force  of  France, 
Doing  the  execution  and  the  act 
For  which  we  have  in  head  assembled  them  ? 
Scroop,  No  doubt,  my  liege,  if  each  man  do 

his  best. 

8.  the  man  that  was  his  bed-     a  mark  of  his  intimacy  with  the 
fellow t   i.e.    Lord    Scroop,    of     king, 
whom  Holinshed  reports  this  as  i8.  in  head,  in  force. 

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sc.  II  King  Henry  the  Fifth 

K.  Hen,  I  doubt  not  that;  since  we  arc  well 
persuaded  ao 

We  carry  not  a  heart  with  us  from  hence 
That  grows  not  in  a  fair  consent  with  ours, 
Nor  leave  not  one  behind  that  doth  not  wish 
Success  and  conquest  to  attend  on  us. 

Cam,    Never  was  monarch  better  fear'd   and 
loved 
Than  is  your  majesty:    there's  not,  I  think,  a 

subject 
That  sits  in  heart-grief  and  uneasiness 
Under  the  sweet  shade  of  your  government 

Gr^.    True:    those    that    were    your   father's 
enemies 
Have  steep'd  their  galls  in  honey,  and  do  serve 

you  30 

With  hearts  create  of  duty  and  of  zeal. 

K,  Hen,    We  therefore    have    great  cause  of 
thankfulness ; 
And  shall  forget  the  office  of  our  hand, 
Sooner  than  quittance  of  desert  and  merit 
According  to  the  weight  and  worthiness. 

Scroop,  So  service  shall  with  steeled  sinews  toil. 
And  labour  shall  refresh  itself  with  hope. 
To  do  your  grace  incessant  services. 

K,  Hen,  We  judge  no  less.     Uncle  of  Exeter, 
Enlarge  the  man  committed  yesterday,  40 

That  rail'd  against  our  person :  we  consider 
It  was  excess  of  wine  that  set  him  on ; 
And  on  his  more  advice  we  pardon  him. 

Scroop,  That 's  mercy,  but  too  much  security : 
Let  him  be  punish'd,  sovereign,  lest  example 
Breed,  by  his  sufferance,  more  of  such  a  kind. 

K,  Hen,  O,  let  us  yet  be  merciful. 

22.  consent^  accord.  43.  his  more  advice,  his  think- 

33.  office,  use.  ing  better  of  it. 

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King  Henry  the  Fifth        act  n 

Cam,  So  may  your  highness,  and  yet  punish  too. 
Grey,  Sir, 
You  show  great  mercy,  if  you  give  him  life,  50 

After  the  taste  of  much  correction. 

K,  Hen.  Alas,  your  too  much  love  and  care 
of  me 
Are  heavy  orisons  'gainst  this  poor  wretch ! 
If  little  faults,  proceeding  on  distemper, 
Shall  not  be  wink'd  at,  how  shall  we  stretch  our 

eye 
When  capital  crimes,  chew'd,  swallow'd  and  di- 
gested. 
Appear  before  us  ?     We  '11  yet  enlarge  that  man. 
Though  Cambridge,  Scroop  and   Grey,  in  their 

dear  care 
And  tender  preservation  of  our  person, 
Would   have   him   punished.      And  now  to   our 

French  causes :  60 

Who  are  the  late  commissioners  ? 

Cam,  I  one,  my  lord : 
Your  highness  bade  me  ask  for  it  to-day. 
Scroop,  So  did  you  me,  my  liege. 
Grey,  And  I,  my  royal  sovereign. 
K,  Hen,    Then,   Richard   Earl  of  Cambridge, 
there  is  yours ; 
There  yours.  Lord  Scroop  of  Masham;  and,  sir 

knight, 
Grey  of  Northumberland,  this  same  is  yours  : 
Read  them ;  and  know,  I  know  your  worthiness. 
My  Lord  of  Westmoreland,  and  uncle  Exeter,  70 

We  will  aboard  to  night     Why,  how  now,  gen- 
tlemen ! 
What  see  you  in  those  papers  that  you  lose 

54.  proceeding  on  distemper,      cause, 
proceeding  from  a  mental  dis-         61.  laie,  lately  appointed, 
turbance    due    to    a    phjrsical         63.  it,  viz.  his  commission. 

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8c.  n  King  Henry  the  Fifth 

So  much  complexion  ?    Look  ye,  how  they  change ! 
Their  cheeks  are  paper.      Why,  what  read  you 

there. 
That  hath  so  cowarded  and  chased  your  blood 
Out  of  appearance  ? 

Cam,  I  do  confess  my  fault ; 

And  do  submit  me  to  your  highness'  mercy. 

jy^\    f  ^^  which  we  all  appeal 

K,  Hen,  The  mercy  that  was  quick  in  us  but 

late, 
By  your  own  counsel  is  suppressed  and  kill'd :  s© 

You  must  not  dare,  for  shame,  to  talk  of  mercy ; 
For  your  own  reasons  turn  into  your  bosoms, 
As  dogs  upon  their  masters,  worrying  you. 
See  you,  my  princes  and  my  noble  peers. 
These  English  monsters !     My  Lord  of  Cambridge 

here. 
You  know  how  apt  our  love  was  to  accord 
To  furnish  him  with  all  appertinents 
Belonging  to  his  honour ;  and  this  man 
Hath,  for  a  few  light  crowns,  lightly  conspired, 
And  sworn  unto  the  practices  of  France,  90 

To  kill  us  here  in  Hampton  :  to  the  which 
This  knight,  no  less  for  bounty  bound  to  us 
Than  Cambridge  is,  hath  likewise  sworn.     But,  O, 
What  shall  I  say  to  thee,   Lord  Scroop?    thou 

cruel, 
Ingratefiil,  savage  and  inhuman  creature ! 
Thou  that  didst  bear  the  key  of  all  my  counsels. 
That  kneVst  the  very  bottom  of  my  soul. 
That  almost  mightst  have  coin'd  me  into  gold, 
Wouldst  thou  have  practised  on  me  for  thy  use  1 
May  it  be  possible,  that  foreign  hire  100 

Could  out  of  thee  extract  one  spark  of  evil 

9a  pracHces^  plots.  91.  Hampton,  Southampton. 

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King  Henry  the  Fifth        acth 

That  might  annoy  my  finger  ?  'tis  so  strange, 

That,  though  the  truth  of  it  stands  off  as  gross 

As  black  and  white,  my  eye  will  scarcely  see  it 

Treason  and  murder  ever  kept  together, 

As  two  yoke-devils  sworn  to  cither's  purpose, 

Working  so  grossly  in  a  natural  cause. 

That  admiration  did  not  hoop  at  them : 

But  thou,  'gainst  all  proportion,  didst  bring  in 

Wonder  to  wait  on  treason  and  on  murder :  no 

And  whatsoever  cunning  fiend  it  was 

That  wrought  upon  thee  so  preposterously 

Hath  got  the  voice  in  hell  for  excellence : 

All  other  devils  that  suggest  by  treasons 

Do  botch  and  bungle  up  damnation 

With    patches,   colours,   and    with    forms    being 

fetch'd 
From  glistering  semblances  of  piety ; 
But  he  that  temper*d  thee  bade  thee  stand  up. 
Gave  thee   no   instance   why  thou   shouldst  do 

treason. 
Unless  to  dub  thee  with  the  name  of  traitor.  xao 

If  that  same  demon  that  hath  gull'd  thee  thus 
Should  with  his  lion  gait  walk  the  whole  world. 
He  might  return  to  vasty  Tartar  back. 
And  tell  the  legions  *  I  can  never  win 
A  soul  so  easy  as  that  Englishman's.' 
O,  how  hast  thou  with  jealousy  infected 
The  sweetness  of  affiance !     Show  men  dutiful  ? 
Why,  so  didst  thou  :  seem  they  grave  and  learned  ? 
Why,  so  didst  thou :  come  they  of  noble  family  ? 
Why,  so  didst  thou  :  seem  they  religious  ?  130 

Why,  so  didst  thou :  or  are  they  spare  in  diet 

103.  stands  oJjT,  stands  out.  1x4.  suggest,  tempt 

108.    That  admiration,  etc.,  119.  instance,  ground, 

that  wonder  did  not  cry  out  at  123.    Tartar,  Tartarus,  HelL 

them  ;  thejr  excited  no  surprise.  127.  affiance,  confidence. 

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sc.  II  King  Henry  the  Fifth 

Free  from  gross  passion  or  of  mirth  or  anger, 

Constant  in  spirit,  not  swerving  with  the  blood, 

Garnished  and  deck'd  in  modest  complement. 

Not  working  with  the  eye  without  the  ear, 

And  but  in  purged  judgement  trusting  neither  ? 

Such  and  so  finely  bolted  didst  thou  seem : 

And  thus  thy  fall  hath  left  a  kind  of  blot. 

To  mark  the  full-fraught  man  and  best-indued 

With  some  suspicion.     I  will  weep  for  thee ;  140 

For  this  revolt  of  thine,  methinks,  is  hke 

Another  fall  of  man.     Their  faults  are  open : 

Arrest  them  to  the  answer  of  the  law ; 

And  God  acquit  them  of  their  practices  ! 

Exe.  I  arrest  thee  of  high  treason,  by  the  name 
of  Richard  Earl  of  Cambridge. 

I  arrest  thee  of  high  treason,  by  the  name  of 
Henry  Lord  Scroop  of  Masham. 

I  arrest  thee  of  high  treason,  by  the  name  of 
Thomas  Grey,  knight,  of  Northumberland.  150 

Scroop.  Our  purposes  God  justly  hath  discovered; 
And  I  repent  my  fault  more  than  my  death ; 
Which  I  beseech  your  highness  to  forgive. 
Although  my  body  pay  the  price  of  it 

Cam.    For  me,  the  gold   of  France  did   not 
seduce ; 
Although  I  did  admit  it  as  a  motive 
The  sooner  to  efifect  what  I  intended : 

133.  ^^^</,  impulse  of  passion.  139.  full -fraught,  equipped 

134.  complement,  outward  de-  with  all  excellences, 
meanour,  manners.  148.     Henry ;    so  Qq.       Ff 

135.  Not  working  with  the  eye  '  Thomas, '  corrected  by  Malone. 
toithout  the  ear,  not  judging  by  152.     more   than   my  death, 
the  looks  of  men  without  having  more  than  I  regret  my  death, 
had  intercourse  with  them.  157.  what  I  intended.     Halle 

137.    bolted,   sifted,    purified  in  this  place  indicates  that  (as 

from  dross.  '  diverse  writer ')  his  real   aim 

139.    mark   the,    Theobald's  was  to  secm-e  the  crown  to  the 

correction  for  Ff  '  make  thee.'  Earl  of  March. 

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King  Henry  the  Fifth        act  h 

But  God  be  thanked  for  prevention ; 
Which  I  in  sufferance  heartily  will  rejoice, 
Beseeching  God  and  you  to  pardon  me.  x6o 

Grey,  Never  did  ^uthful  subject  more  rejoice 
At  the  discovery  of  most  dangerous  treason 
Than  I  do  at  this  hour  joy  o'er  myself, 
Prevented  from  a  damned  enterprise : 
My  fault,  but  not  my  body,  pardon,  sovereign. 
K,  Hen,   God  quit  you  in  his  mercy !     Hear 

your  sentence. 
You  have  conspired  against  our  royal  person, 
Join'd  with  an  enemy  proclaimed  and  from  his 

coffers 
Received  the  golden  earnest  of  our  death ; 
Wherein    you    would    have    sold    your    king    to 

slaughter,  170 

His  princes  and  his  peers  to  servitude^ 
His  subjects  to  oppression  and  contempt 
And  his  whole  kingdom  into  desolation. 
Touching  our  person  seek  we  no  revenge ; 
But  we  our  kingdom's  safety  must  so  tender. 
Whose  ruin  you  have  sought,  that  to  her  laws 
We  do  deliver  you.     Get  you  therefore  hence^ 
Poor  miserable  wretches,  to  your  death  : 
The  taste  whereof,  God  of  his  mercy  give 
You  patience  to  endure,  and  true  repentance  i«o 

Of  all  your  dear  offences  !     Bear  them  hence. 

\Exeunt  Cambridge^  Scroop  and  Grey^ 

guarded. 
Now,  lords,  for  France ;  the  enterprise  whereof 
Shall  be  to  you,  as  us,  like  glorious. 

158.  for  prevention,  for  having     letter  addressed  to  the  queen  in 
forestalled  me.  1585  by  Parry,  after  his  con- 

159.  rejoice,  rejoice  at.  ^^^i<«»  ^^  ^^°  *  '  Discharge 

TOR  A  culpa,  but  not  A  pema, 
165.    My  fault,  but  not  my     goodladie.' 
body.     Probably  derived  from  a  169.  earnest,  earnest-money. 

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sc.  Ill         King  Henry  the  Fifth 

We  doubt  not  of  a  fair  and  lucky  war, 

Since  God  so  graciously  hath  brought  to  light 

This  dangerous  treason  lurking  in  our  way 

To  hinder  our  beginnings.     We  doubt  not  now 

But  every  rub  is  smoothed  on  our  way. 

Then  forth,  dear  countrymen  :  let  us  deliver 

Our  puissance  into  the  hand  of  God,  190 

Putting  it  straight  in  expedition. 

Cheerly  to  sea ;  the  signs  of  war  advance : 

No  king  of  England,  if  not  king  of  France. 

[Exeunt 


Scene  III.     London,     Before  a  tavern. 

Enter  Pistol,  Hostess,  Nym,  Bardolph,  and 
Boy.- 

Host,  Prithee,  honey-sweet  husband,  let  me  bring 
thee  to  Staines. 

Pist,  No  ;  for  my  manly  heart  doth  yearn. 
Bardolph,  be   blithe:    Nym,  rouse  thy  vaunting 

veins : 
Boy,  bristle  thy  courage  up ;  for  Falstaff  he  is  dead, 
And  we  must  yearn  therefore. 

Bard,  Would  I  were  with  him,  wheresome*er 
he  is,  either  in  heaven  or  in  hell ! 

Host   Nay,  sure,   he's   not  in   hell:   he's   in 
Arthur's   bosom,   if  ever  man  went  to   Arthur's   20 
bosom.     A'  made  a  finer  end  and  went  away  an 
it  had  been  any  christom  child;  a'  parted  even 

191.  in  expedition,  in  march.  •  Christom '   is  Mrs.    Quickly's 

3.  to  Staines,  the  first  stage  mixture     of     '  christen  '     and 

on  the  road  to  Southampton.  '  chrisome, '  the  latter  being  the 

iz.^»«r,  the  Hostess' blunder  white  cloth   bound  round   the 

for  'final.'  head   of  the   newly  christened 

13.    christom  child,  a  child  child  and  removed  at  the  end 

djring  wittun  a  month  of  birth,  of  the  first  month. 

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King  Henry  the  Fifth        act  n 

just  between  twelve  and  one,  even  at  the  turning 
o'  the  tide :  for  after  I  saw  him  fumble  with  the 
sheets  and  play  with  flowers  and  smile  upon  his 
fingers'  ends,  I  knew  there  was  but  one  way ;  for 
his  nose  was  as  sharp  as  a  pen,  and  a'  babbled  of 
green  fields.     'How  now,   Sir  John!'  quoth  I: 

*  what,  man !  be  o'  good  cheer.'     So  a'  cried  out 

*  God,  God,  God ! '  three  or  four  times.  Now  I,  »o 
to  comfort  him,  bid  him  a'  should  not  think  of 
God ;  I  hoped  there  was  no  need  to  trouble  him- 
self with  any  such  thoughts  yet.  So  a'  bade  me 
lay  more  clothes  on  his  feet :  I  put  my  hand  into 
the  bed  and  felt  them,  and  they  were  as  cold  as 
any  stone ;  then  I  felt  to  his  knees,  and  they  were 

as  cold  as  any  stone,  and  so  upward  and  upward, 
and  all  was  as  cold  as  any  stone. 

Nym,  They  say  he  cried  out  of  sack. 

Host  Ay,  that  a'  did.  30 

Bard,  And  of  women. 

Host  Nay,  that  a'  did  not. 

Boy.    Yes,  that  a'   did;    and   said   they  were 
devils  incarnate. 

Host  A'  could  never  abide  carnation;  'twas  a 
colour  he  never  liked. 

Boy.  A'  said  once,  the  devil  would  have  him 
about  women. 

Host    A'   did   in   some   sort,    indeed,   handle 
women;  but  then  he  was  rheumatic,  and  talked   40 
of  the  whore  of  Babylon. 

13.  at  the  turning o' the  tide ;  fields.'  Delius,  almost  alone 
according  to  a  current  belief,  death  among  recent  editors,  retains 
took  place  only  during  the  ebb.  the  Folio  reading,  on  account 

14.  fumble  with  the  sheets,  a  of  Mrs.  Quickly's  habitual  prone- 
supposed  symptom  of  approach-  ness  to  nonsense.  But  her 
ing  death.  nonsense  is  always  intelligible. 

17.   a'  babbled  of  green  fields ;  29.  of  'on,'  at ;  he  cried  out 

Theobald's  famous  correction  of     against  it. 
Ff    '  and    a   Table    of    greene  40.  rheumatic,  i.e.  lunatic. 

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8c.  Ill         King  'Henry  the  Fifth 

Boy,  Do  you  not  remember,  a'  saw  a  flea 
stick  upon  Bardolph's  nose,  and  a'  said  it  was  a 
black  soul  burning  in  hell-fire  ? 

Bard,  Well,  the  fuel  is  gone  that  maintained 
that  fire :  that 's  all  the  riches  I  got  in  his  service. 

Nytn,  Shall  we  shog?  the  king  will  be  gone 
from  Southampton. 

Pist,    Come,   let's  away.     My   love,  give  me 
thy  lips. 
Look  to  my  chattels  and  my  movables : 
Let  senses  rule ;  the  word  is  *  Pitch  and  Pay : ' 
Trust  none ; 

For  oaths  are  straws,  men's  faiths  are  wafer-cakes, 
And  hold-fast  is  the  only  dog,  my  duck : 
Therefore,  Caveto  be  thy  counsellor. 
Go,  clear  thy  crystals.     Yoke-fellows  in  arms, 
Let  us  to  France  \  like  horse-leeches,  my  boys, 
To  suck,  to  suck,  the  very  blood  to  suck ! 

Boy,  And  that's  but  unwholesome  food,  they 


5«» 


Fist,  Touch  her  soft  mouth,  and  march. 
Bard,  Farewell,  hostess.  \Kis$ing  her, 

Nytn,  I  cannot  kiss,  that  is  the  humour  of  it ; 
but,  adieu. 

Fist,    Let  housewifery  appear:    keep  close,   I 

thee  command. 
Host,  Farewell;  adieu.  \Eoceunt, 


47.  shog,  be  off. 

51.  'Pitch  and  Pay'  'pay 
down'  ready  money ;  originally  it 
seems  a  phrase  of  the  London 
cloth-trade,  meaning  '  pitch '  (or 
deposit)  the  cloth  in  the  cloth- 
hall,    and    pay   (as    a    statute 


required)  at  the  same  time  the 
fee  or  hadlage. 

54.  hold-fast  is  the  only  dog. 
Douce  quotes  a  contemporary 
proverb  :  '  Brag  is  a  good  dog, 
but  Hold-£ast  is  a  better. ' 


VOL,  VII 


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King  Henry  the  Fifth        act  u 


Scene  IV.     France,     The  Kivg*s  pa/<ue. 

Flourish,  Enter  the  French  Kino,  the  Daxtphik, 
the  Dukes  of  Berri  and  Brbtagke,  the 
Constable,  and  others, 

Fr,  King,  Thus  comes   the   English  with  full 
power  upon  us ; 
And  more  than  carefully  it  us  concerns 
To  answer  royally  in  our  defences. 
Therefore  the  Dukes  of  Berri  and  of  Bretagne, 
Of  Brabant  and  of  Orleans,  shall  make  forth, 
And  you.  Prince  Dauphin,  with  all  swift  dispatch. 
To  line  and  new  repair  our  towns  of  war 
With  men  of  courage  and  with  means  defendant  ; 
For  England  his  approaches  makes  as  fierce 
As  waters  to  the  sucking  of  a  gulf.  zo 

It  fits  us  then  to  be  as  provident 
As  fear  may  teach  us  out  of  late  examples 
Left  by  the  fatal  and  neglected  English 
Upon  our  fields. 

Dau.  My  most  redoubted  father. 

It  is  most  meet  we  arm  us  'gainst  the  foe ; 
For  peace  itself  should  not  so  dull  a  kingdom. 
Though  war  nor  no  known  quarrel  were  in  question, 
But  that  defences,  musters,  preparations. 
Should  be  maintain'd,  assembled  and  collected, 
As  were  a  war  in  expectation.  ao 

Therefore,  I  say  'tis  meet  we  all  go  forth 
To  view  the  sick  and  feeble  parts  of  France : 
And  let  us  do  it  with  no  show  of  fear ; 
No,  with  no  more  than  if  we  heard  that  England 

Sc,  4,     The   French    King,      d'Albret. 
Charles  VI.  (i38o-i423).  13.  fatal  and  neglected,  made 

Sc,  4.  The  Constable,  Charles     light  of  to  our  ruin. 

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8c.  IV         King  Henry  the  Fifth 

Were  busied  with  a  Whitsun  morris-dance : 
For,  my  good  liege,  she  is  so  idly  king'd, 
Her  sceptre  so  fantastically  borne 
By  a  vain,  giddy,  shallow,  humorous  youth. 
That  fear  attends  her  not. 

Con,  O  peace.  Prince  Dauphin ! 

You  are  too  much  mistaken  in  this  king :  30 

Question  your  grace  the  late  ambassadors, 
With  what  great  state  he  heard  their  embassy. 
How  well  supplied  with  noble  counsellors. 
How  modest  in  exception,  and  withal 
How  terrible  in  constant  resolution, 
And  you  shall  find  his  vanities  forespent 
Were  but  the  outside  of  the  Roman  Brutus, 
Covering  discretion  with  a  coat  of  folly ; 
As  gardeners  do  with  ordure  hide  those  roots 
That  shall  first  spring  and  be  most  delicate.  40 

Dau,  Well,  'tis  not  so,  my  lord  high  constable ; 
But  though  we  think  it  so,  it  is  no  matter : 
In  cases  of  defence  'tis  best  to  weigh 
The  enemy  more  mighty  than  he  seems : 
So  the  proportions  of  defence  are  filFd ; 
Which  of  a  weak  and  niggardly  projection 
Doth,  like  a  miser,  spoil  his  coat  with  scanting 
A  little  cloth. 

Fr,  King.  Thmk  we  King  Harry  strong ; 
And,    princes,    look   you   strongly  arm   to  meet 

him. 
The  kindred  of  him  hath  been  fiesh'd  upon  us ;        50 

38.  humorous,  whimsical.  projection,  if  planned  on  a  mean 

34.  modest  in  exception,  tem-      scale.     The  subject  of  '  doth '  is 

perate  in  raising  objection.  f^e  *  projector,'  implied  in  '  pro- 

37.  the  Roman  Brutus;  the  ^^50. V*'^/  to  •  flesh '  was  to 
assailant  of  Tarqmn  ;  cf.  Lu-  giy^  a  hound  its  first  taste  of  the 
crece.  11.  1809-15.  ^^^  ^^  ^^  ^^^.^^1  .^  ^^  ^^^ 

46.  of  a  weak  ani  niggardly     trained  to  hunt.     L. 

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King  Henry  the  Fifth        acth 

And  he  is  bred  out  of  that  bloody  strain 

That  haunted  us  in  our  familiar  paths : 

\\^tness  our  too  much  memorable  shame 

When  Cressy  battle  fatally  was  struck, 

And  all  our  princes  captived  by  the  hand 

Of  that  black  name,    Edward,   Black  Prince  of 

Wales ; 
Whiles    that    his  moimtain    sire,   on    mountain 

standing. 
Up  in  the  air,  crown'd  with  the  golden  sun. 
Saw  his  heroical  seed,  and  smiled  to  see  him. 
Mangle  the  work  of  nature  and  deface  60 

The  patterns  that  by  God  and  by  French  fathers 
Had  twenty  years  been  made.     This  is  a  stem 
Of  that  victorious  stock ;  and  let  us  fear 
The  native  mightiness  and  fate  of  him. 

Enter  a  Messenger. 

Mess,     Ambassadors    from    Harry     King    of 
England 
Do  crave  admittance  to  your  majesty. 

Ft,  King,    We'll  give  them  present  audience. 
Go,  and  bring  them. 

\Exeunt  Messenger  and  certain  Lords, 
You  see  this  chase  is  hotly  followed,  friends. 
Dau,  Turn  head,  and  stop  pursuit ;  for  coward 
dogs 
Most  spend  their  mouths  when  what  they  seem 

to  threaten  70 

Runs  far  before  them.     Good  my  sovereign, 
Take  up  the  English  short,  and  let  them  know 

54.    struck^     fought     (battle  the  following  line,  which  makes 

being  from  *  battre '  ;  cf.    Ger.  the  setting  sun  his  crown. 
*  eine  Schlacht  schlagen '). 

57.  his  mountain  sire,    Prob-  70.  Most  spend  their  mouths, 

ably   a    bold    image   for    '  his  give  tongue  loudest ;  a  technical 

mighty  father.'  in  keeping  with  term  of  hunting. 

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8C.  TV 


King  Henry  the  Fifth 


Of  what  a  monarchy  you  are  the  head : 
Self-love,  my  liege,  is  not  so  vile  a  sin 
As  self-neglecting. 

Re-enter  Lords,  with  Exeter  and  train. 

Fr.  King,  From  our  brother  England  ? 

Exe,    From   him;    and   thus   he   greets   your 
majesty. 
He  wills  you,  in  the  name  of  God  Almighty, 
That  you  divest  yourself,  and  lay  apart 
The  borrowed  glories  that  by  gift  of  heaven, 
By  law  of  nature  and  of  nations,  'long  so 

To  him  and  to  his  heirs ;  namely,  the  crown 
And  all  wide-stretched  honours  that  pertain 
By  custom  and  the  ordinance  of  times 
Unto  the  crown  of  France.     That  you  may  know 
'Tis  no  sinister  nor  no  awkward  claim, 
Pick'd  from  the  worm-holes  of  long-vanish*d  days, 
Nor  from  the  dust  of  old  oblivion  raked, 
He  sends  you  this  most  memorable  line. 
In  every  branch  truly  demonstrative ; 
WiUing  you  overlook  this  pedigree :  90 

And  when  you  find  him  evenly  derived 
From  hb  most  &med  of  famous  ancestors, 
Edward  the  Third,  he  bids  you  then  resign 
Your  crown  and  kingdom,  indirectly  held 
From  him  the  native  and  true  challenger. 

Fr,  King,  Or  else  what  follows  ? 

Exe,  Bloody  constraint ;  for  if  you  hide  the  crown 
Even  in  your  hearts,  there  will  he  rake  for  it : 
Therefore  in  fierce  tempest  is  he  coming. 
In  thunder  and  in  earthquake,  like  a  Jove,  xoo 

That,  if  requiring  fail,  he  will  compel  ; 

85.  sinister^  unfair.  95.  challenger,  claimant. 

iU  cnokioard,  perverse.  99.  fierce  (two  syllables). 

94.  indirectly^  wrongfully.  loi.  requiring,  demanding. 

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King  Henry  the  Fifth        act  n 

And  bids  you,  in  the  bowels  of  the  Lord, 

Deliver  up  the  crown,  and  to  take  mercy 

On  the  poor  souls  for  whom  this  hungry  war 

Opens  his  vasty  jaws ;  and  on  your  head 

Turning  the  widows'  tears,  the  orphans'  cries, 

The  dead  men's  blood,  the  pining  maidens'  groans, 

For  husbands,  fathers  and  betrothed  lovers. 

That  shall  be  swallow'd  in  this  controversy. 

This  is  his  claim,  his  threatening  and  my  message ;  no 

Unless  the  Dauphin  be  in  presence  here. 

To  whom  expressly  I  bring  greeting  too. 

Fr.  King,    For  us,   we   will   consider   of  this 
further : 
To-morrow  shall  you  bear  our  full  intent 
Back  to  our  brother  England. 

Dau,  For  the  Dauphin, 

I  stand  here  for  him :  what  to  him  from  England  ? 

Exe.  Scorn  and  defiance;   slight  regard,  con- 
tempt. 
And  any  thing  that  may  not  misbecome 
The  mighty  sender,  doth  he  prize  you  at 
Thus  says  my  king ;  an  if  your  father's  highness      lao 
Do  not,  in  grant  of  all  demands  at  large. 
Sweeten  the  bitter  mock  you  sent  his  majesty. 
He  '11  call  you  to  so  hot  an  answer  of  it. 
That  caves  and  womby  vaultages  of  France 
Shall  chide  your  trespass  and  return  your  mock 
In  second  accent  of  his  ordinance. 

Dau,  Say,  if  my  father  render  fisdr  return, 
It  is  against  my  will ;  for  I  desire 
Nothing  but  odds  with  England :  to  that  end. 
As  matching  to  his  youth  and  vanity,  230 

I  did  present  him  with  the  Paris  balls. 

10a.  in  the  bowels  of  the  Ijfrd,  124.  womby  vaultages,  ho\km 

in  the  name  of  the  divine  mercy     caverns. 
(Holinshed's  phrase). 

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ACT  in        King  Henry  the  Fifth 

Exe.  He  '11  make  your  Paris  Louvre  shake  for  it. 
Were  it  the  mistress-court  of  mighty  Europe : 
And,  be  assured,  you  '11  find  a  difference, 
As  we  his  subjects  have  in  wonder  found, 
Between  the  promise  of  his  greener  days 
And  these  he  masters  now :  now  he  weighs  time 
£ven  to  the  utmost  grain  :  that  you  shall  read 
In  your  own  losses,  if  he  stay  in  France* 

Fr.  King.  To-morrow  shall  you  know  our  mind 

at  full  t4o 

Exe,  Dispatch  us  with  all  speed,  lest  that  our 
king 
Come  here  himself  to  question  our  delay ; 
For  he  is  footed  in  this  land  already. 

Fr.  King.  You  shall  be  soon  dispatched  with 
£iir  conditions : 
A  night  is  but  small  breath  and  little  pause 
To  answer  matters  of  this  consequence. 

[Flourish.     Exeunt. 


ACT  III. 

PROLOGUR 

Enter  Chorus. 

Chor.  Thus  with  imagined  wing  our  swift  scene 

flies 
In  motion  of  no  less  celerity 
Than  that  of  thought     Suppose  that  you  have 

seen 

137.  masters,  possesses,  dis-  i.  imagined  wing,  on  witigs 

poses  of.  of  imagination. 

145.  breaiht  breathing-space. 

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King  Henry  the  Fifth       act  m 

The  well-appointed  king  at  Hampton  pier 

Embark  his  royalty ;  and  his  brave  fleet 

With  silken  streamers  the  young  Phoebus  fanning : 

Play  with  your  fancies,  and  in  them  behold 

Upon  the  hempen  tackle  ship-boys  climbing ; 

Hear  the  shrill  whistle  which  doth  order  give 

To  sounds  confused  ;  behold  the  threaden  sails,       xo 

Borne  with  the  invisible  and  creeping  wind, 

Draw  the  huge  bottoms  through  the  furrow'd  sea, 

Breasting  the  lofty  surge :  O,  do  but  think 

You  stand  upon  the  rivage  and  behold 

A  city  on  the  inconstant  billows  dancing ; 

For  so  appears  this  fleet  majestical, 

Holding  due  course  to  Harfleur.     Follow,  follow : 

Grapple  your  minds  to  stemage  of  this  navy, 

And  leave  your  England,  as  dead  midnight  still, 

Guarded  with  grandsires,  babies  and  old  women,      90 

Either  past  or  not  arrived  to  pith  and  puissance ; 

For  who  is  he,  whose  chin  is  but  enrich'd 

With  one  appearing  hair,  that  will  not  follow 

These  culled  and  choice-drawn  cavaliers  to  France  ? 

Work,  work  your  thoughts,  and   therein   see  a 

siege; 
Behold  the  ordnance  on  their  carriages. 
With  fatal  mouths  gaping  on  girded  Harfleur. 
Suppose  the  ambassador  from  the  French  comes 

back; 
Tells  Harry  that  the  king  doth  offer  him 
Katharine  his  daughter,  and  with  her,  to  dowry,       30 
Some  petty  and  unprofitable  dukedoms. 


4.  Hampton,  Theobald's  cor- 
rection. Ff  (through  an  over- 
sight) read  *  Dover.* 

5.  brave^  gaily  decked. 

6.  the  young  Phoebus fanningt 
fluttering  in  the  morning  sun. 

14.  rivage,  shore. 


17.  Harfleur.  QqFf  give  the 
popular  form  of  the  name  '  Har- 
flevir'  (Holinshed,  'Harflue'). 

18.  A?  stemage  of,  astern  of. 

a8.  Suppose,  etc.  This  em- 
bassy actually  met  Henry  at 
Winchester. 


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8c.  I  King  Henry  the  Fifth 

The  offer  likes  not :  and  the  nimble  gunner 
With  linstock  now  the  devilish  cannon  touches, 

[A/arum^  and  chambers  go  off. 
And  down  goes  all  before  them.     Still  be  kind, 
And  eke  out  our  performance  with  your  mind. 

\Exit. 


Scene  I.     France,     Before  Harfleur, 

Alarum.  Enter  King  Henry,  Exeter,  Bei>. 
FORD,  Gloucester,  tf«^  Soldiers,  with  scaling- 
ladders. 

K,  Hen.   Once  more  unto   the  breach,    dear 
friends,  once  more ; 
Or  close  the  wall  up  with  our  English  dead. 
In  peace  there 's  nothing  so  becomes  a  man 
As  modest  stillness  and  humility : 
But  when  the  blast  of  war  blows  in  our  ears, 
Then  imitate  the  action  of  the  tiger ; 
Stiffen  the  sinews,  summon  up  the  blood. 
Disguise  fair  nature  with  hard-favour'd  rage ; 
Then  lend  the  eye  a  terrible  aspect ; 
Let  it  pry  through  the  portage  of  the  head  xo 

Like  the  brass  cannon ;  let  the  brow  overwhelm  it 
As  fearfuUy  as  doth  a  galled  rock 
Overhang  and  jutty  his  confounded  base, 
Swiird  with  the  wild  and  wasteful  ocean. 
Now  set  the  teeth  and  stretch  the  nostril  wide. 
Hold  hard  the  breath  and  bend  up  every  spirit 

33.  /w/(7r>&,  the  stick  to  which  xo.  portage,  'port-holes,' i.e. 

the  gunner's  match  was  attached.  eye-sockets. 

33.  chambers,  small  cannon,  13.  jvtty,  jet  or  project  over, 

loaded  by  a  movable 'chamber'  ib.    confounded,     destroyed, 

at  the  breech.  swallowed  up. 

8.  hard-favoured,  grim-look-  16.  bend  up;  as  in  stringing 

ing.  a  bow. 

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King  Henry  the  Fifth       act  m 

To  his  full  height.     On,  on,  you  noblest  English, 

Whose  blood  is  fet  from  fathers  of  war-proof! 

Fathers  that,  like  so  many  Alexanders, 

Have  in  these  parts  from  mom  till  even  fought        so 

And  sheathed  their  swords  for  lack  of  argument : 

Dishonour  not  your  mothers ;  now  attest 

That  those  whom  you  call'd  fathers  did  b^et  you. 

Be  copy  now  to  men  of  grosser  blood, 

And  teach  them  how  to  war.     And  you,  good 

yeomen. 
Whose  limbs  were  made  in  England,  show  us  here 
The  mettle  of  your  pasture ;  let  us  swear 
That  you  are  worth  your  breeding ;  which  I  doubt 

not; 
For  there  b  none  of  you  so  mean  and  base, 
That  hath  not  noble  lustre  in  your  eyes.  j9 

I  see  you  stand  like  greyhounds  in  the  slips. 
Straining  upon  the  start     The  game 's  afoot : 
Follow  your  spirit,  and  upon  this  charge 
Cry  *  God  for  Harry,  England,  and  Saint  George ! ' 
[JSxeunt,     Alarum,  and  chambers  go  off. 


Scene  II.     The  same. 

Enter  Nym,  Bardolph,  Pistol,  and  Boy. 

Bard.  On,  on,  on,  on,  on !  to  the  breach,  to 
the  breach ! 

Nym.  Pray  thee,  corporal,  stay:  the  knocks 
are  too  hot ;  and,  for  mine  own  part,  I  have  not 

1 8. /r/,  fetched,  derived.  to  fight  for'   is  meant;   none 

ai.  argument,  matter.     The  being  left  to  oppoie  them, 

parallel  to  Alexander  makes  it  31.  slips,  leash, 

probable  that  lack  of  enemies  to  33.  Straining.     Rowe's  cor- 

conquer  rather  than  of  *  cause  rection  for  Ff  <  straying.' 

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8c.  u  King  Henry  the  Fifth 

a  case  of  lives :  the  humour  of  it  is  too  hot,  that 
is  the  very  plain-song  of  it. 

Pist  The  plain-song  is  most  just ;  for  humours 
do  abound : 
Knocks  go  and  come ;  God's  vassals  drop  and  die ; 
And  sword  and  shield, 
In  bloody  field,  lo 

Doth  win  immortal  fame. 
Boy,  Would  I  were  in  an  alehouse  in  London  ! 
I  would  give  all  my  fame  for  a  pot  of  ale  and 
safety. 

Pist  Andl: 

If  wishes  would  prevail  with  me. 
My  purpose  should  not  fail  with  me, 
But  thither  would  I  hie. 
B<^.  As  duly,  but  not  as  truly, 

As  bird  doth  sing  on  bough.  90 

^«/^r  Fluellen. 

Flu,  Up   to   the   breach,    you    dogs !   avaunt, 
you  cullions  !  [Driving  them  forward, 

Pist,  Be    merciful,    great    duke,    to    men    of 
mould. 
Abate  thy  rage,  abate  thy  manly  rage. 
Abate  thy  rage,  great  duke ! 
Good  bawcock,  bate  thy  rage;  use  lenity,  sweet 
chuck ! 

Nym,  These  be  good  humours!  your  honour 
wins  bad  humours.  \Exeunt  all  but  Boy, 

Boy,  As  young  as  I  am,  I  have  observed  these 

5.  case  cf  lives,  a  set  of  lives.  6.  plain-song,  simple  melody 

Njrm's  further  aUusion  to  *  plain-  without  variations, 
song'  makes  it  likely  that  the  23.  cullions,  noodles,  dolts, 

allusion  is  to  the  'case    of  four         23.  duke,  general. 
musical  instruments  making  up  26.  bawcock  (Fr.  '  beaucoq '), 

the  '  consort '  of  four  parts,  not  a  term  of  endearment. 
to  the  case  kA  (two)  pistols.  28.  winst  prevails  over. 

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King  Henry  the  Fifth       act  m 

three  swashers.  I  am  boy  to  them  all  three :  but  30 
all  they  three,  though  they  would  serve  me,  could 
not  be  man  to  me ;  for  indeed  three  such  antics 
do  not  amount  to  a  man.  For  Bardolph,  he  is 
white-livered  and  red-faced ;  by  the  means  where- 
of a'  faces  it  out,  but  fights  not  For  Pistol,  he 
hath  a  killing  tongue  and  a  quiet  sword ;  by  the 
means  whereof  a'  breaks  words,  and  keeps  whole 
weapons.  For  Nym,  he  hath  heard  that  men  of 
few  words  are  the  best  men ;  and  therefore  he 
scorns  to  say  his  prayers,  lest  a'  should  be  thought  40 
a  coward:  but  his  few  bad  words  are  matched 
with  as  few  good  deeds ;  for  a'  never  broke  any 
man's  head  but  his  own,  and  that  was  against  a 
post  when  he  was  drunk.  They  will  steal  any 
thing,  and  call  it  purchase.  Bardolph  stole  a 
lute-case,  bore  it  twelve  leagues,  and  sold  it  for 
three  half-pence.  Nym  and  Bardolph  are  sworn 
brothers  in  filching,  and  in  Calais  they  stole  a 
fire-shovel:  I  knew  by  that  piece  of  service  the 
men  would  carry  coals.  They  would  have  me  as  50 
familiar  with  men's  pockets  as  their  gloves  or 
their  handkerchers :  which  makes  much  against 
my  manhood,  if  I  should  take  from  another's 
pocket  to  put  into  mine ;  for  it  is  plain  pocketing 
up  of  wrongs.  I  must  leave  them,  and  seek  some 
better  service :  their  villany  goes  against  my  weak 
stomach,  and  therefore  I  must  cast  it  up.      [jEx$t 

Re-enter  Fluellen,  Gqw^esl  following. 

Gow,  Captain  Fluellen,  you  must  come  pre- 
sently to  the  mines;  the  Duke  of  Gloucester 
would  speak  with  you.  60 

32.  antics,  buffoons.  "OfiT  service,  submit  to  insults. 

...  55.  wrongs  (a  play  upon  the 

45.  purchase,  acquisition.  two  senses  :    injuries  received. 

50.  far/7£0aZr,doanydegrad-     and  injuries  done). 
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8c.  11  King  Henry  the  Fifth 

Flu,  To  the  mines !  tell  you  the  duke,  it  is  not 
so  good  to  come  to  the  mines ;  for,  look  you,  the 
mines  is  not  according  to  the  disciplines  of  the 
war:  the  concavities  of  it  is  not  sufficient;  for, 
look  you,  th'  athversary,  you  may  discuss  unto 
the  duke,  look  you,  is  digt  himself  four  yard 
under  the  countermines :  by  Cheshu,  I  think  a' 
will  plow  up  all,  if  there  is  not  better  directions. 

Gow,  The  Duke  of  Gloucester,  to  whom  the 
order  of  the  siege  is  given,  is  altogether  directed  70 
by  an  Irishman,  a  very  valiant  gentleman,  i'  faith. 

Flu.  It  is  Captain  Macmorris,  is  it  not  ? 

GouK  I  think  it  be. 

Flu.  By  Cheshu,  he  is  an  ass,  as  in  the  world : 
I  will  verify  as  much  in  his  beard:  he  has  no 
more  directions  in  the  true  disciplines  of  the  wars, 
look  you,  of  the  Roman  disciplines,  than  is  a 
puppy-dog. 


Enter  Macmorris  and  Captain  Jamy. 

Gow.  Here  a*  comes;  and  the  Scots  captain, 
Captain  Jamy,  with  him.  80 

Flu,  Captain  Jamy  is  a  marvellous  falorous 
gentleman,  that  is  certain ;  and  of  great  expedition 
and  knowledge  in  th'  aunchient  wars,  upon  my 
particular  knowledge  of  his  directions :  by  Cheshu, 
he  will  maintain  his  argument  as  well  as  any 
military  man  in  the  world,  in  the  disciplines  of 
the  pristine  wars  of  the  Romans. 

Jamy,  I  say  gud-day,  Captain  Fluellen. 

Flu,  God-den  to  your  worship,  good  Captain 
James.  90 

66.    digt  himself  four  yard     digged  countermines  four  yards 
under  the  countermines,   prob-     under  (the  mines), 
ably  Fluellen's   perversion    for 

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King  Henry  the  Fifth       act  m 

Gow,  How  now,  Captain  Macmorris)  have 
you  quit  the  mines  ?  have  the  pioners  given  o'er  ? 

Mac,  By  Chrish,  la!  tish  ill  done:  the  WOTk 
ish  give  over,  the  trompet  sound  the  retreat  By 
my  hand,  I  swear,  and  my  father's  soul,  the  work 
ish  ill  done ;  it  ish  give  over :  I  would  have  blowed 
up  the  town,  so  Chrish  save  me,  la !  in  an  hour : 
O,  tish  ill  done,  tish  ill  done ;  by  my  hand,  tish 
ill  done  1 

Flu,  Captain  Macmorris,  I  beseech  you  now,  xoo 
will  you  voutsafe  me,  look  you,  a  few  disputa- 
tions with  you,  as  partly  touching  or  concerning 
the  disciplines  of  the  war,  the  Roman  wars,  in 
the  way  of  argument,  look  you,  and  friendly  com- 
munication; partly  to  satisfy  my  opinion,  and 
partly  for  the  satisfaction,  look  you,  of  my  mind, 
as  touching  the  direction  of  the  military  discipline ; 
that  is  the  point. 

Jamy,  It    sail    be   vary    gud,    gud   feith,   gud 
captains  bath :  and  I  sail  quit  you  with  gud  leve,  no 
as  I  may  pick  occasion ;  that  sail  I,  marry. 

Mac,  It  is  no  time  to  discourse,  so  Chrish 
save  me:  the  day  is  hot,  and  the  weather,  and 
the  wars,  and  the  king,  and  the  dukes:  it  is  no 
time  to  discourse.  The  town  is  beseeched,  and 
the  trumpet  call  us  to  the  breach;  and  we  talk, 
and,  be  Chrish,  do  nothing  :  'tis  shame  for  us  all : 
so  God  sa'  me,  'tis  shame  to  stand  still ;  it  is  shame, 
by  my  hand :  and  there  is  throats  to  be  cut,  and 
works  to  be  done ;  and  there  ish  nothing  done,  so  im 
Chrish  sa'  me,  la  ! 

Jamy,  By  the  mess,   ere  theise  eyes  of  mine 

take  themselves  to  slomber,  ay  '11  de  gud  service, 

or  ay  '11  lig  i'  the  grund  for  it ;  ay,  or  go  to  death ; 

and  ay '11  pay't  as  valorously  as  I  may,  that  sail 

zio.  qtsit,  requite. 

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sc.  II  King  Henry  the  Fifth 

I  suerly  do,  that  is  the  breff  and  the  long. 
Many,  I  wad  full  fain  heard  some  question  'tween 
you  tway. 

Mu,  Captain   Macmorris,    I   think,    look   you, 
under  your  correction,  there  is  not  many  of  your  130 
nation — 

Mac,  Of  my  nation !  What  ish  my  nation  ? 
Ish  a  villain,  and  a  bastard,  and  a  knave,  and  a 
rascal — ^What  ish  my  nation  ?  Who  talks  of  my 
nation  ? 

Flu,  Look  you,  if  you  take  the  matter  other- 
wise than  is  meant,  Captain  Macmorris,  perad- 
venture  I  shall  think  you  do  not  use  me  with  that 
affability  as  in  discretion  you  ought  to  use  me, 
look  you ;  being  as  good  a  man  as  yourself,  both  140 
in  the  disciplines  of  war,  and  in  the  derivation  of 
my  birth,  and  in  other  particularities. 

Mac.  I  do  not  know  you  so  good  a  man  as 
myself:  so  Chrish  save  me,  I  will  cut  off  your 
head. 

Gow,  Gentlemen  both,  you  will  mistake  each 
other. 

Jamy,  A !  that 's  a  foul  fault. 

\A  parky  sounded, 

Gow,  The  town  sounds  a  parley. 

J*tu,  Captain  Macmorris,  when  there  is  more  150 
better  opportunity   to   be  required,  look  you,   I 
will  be  so  bold  as  to  tell  you  I  know  the  disciplines 
of  war ;  and  there  is  an  end.  [Exeunt 

127.  wad  full  fain  heard,  Northern  and  Scandinavian 
wad  .  .  .  have  heard.  The  idiom.  So  Pf.  The  Camb. 
omission  of  '  have '  b  a  common     editors  wrongly  alter  to  'hear.' 


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Scene  III.     The  same.     Before  the  gates. 

The  Governor  and  some  Citizens  on  the  walls ; 
the  English  forces  below.  Enter  King  Henry 
and  his  train, 

K,  Hen,  How  yet  resolves  the  governor  of  the 
town? 
This  is  the  latest  parle  we  will  admit : 
Therefore  to  our  best  mercy  give  yourselves ; 
Or  like  to  men  proud  of  destruction 
Defy  us  to  our  worst :  for,  as  I  am  a  soldier, 
A  name  that  in  my  thoughts  becomes  me  best, 
If  I  begin  the  battery  once  again, 
I  will  not  leave  the  half-achieved  Harfleur 
Till  in  her  ashes  she  lie  buried. 
The  gates  of  mercy  shall  be  all  shut  up,  zo 

And  the  flesh'd  soldier,  rough  and  hard  of  heart, 
In  liberty  of  bloody  hand  shall  range 
With  conscience  wide  as  hell,  mowing  like  grass 
Your  fresh-fair  virgins  and  your  flowering  infants. 
What  is  it  then  to  me,  if  impious  war, 
Arrayed  in  flames  like  to  the  prince  of  fiends. 
Do,  with  his  smirch'd  complexion,  all  fell  feats 
Enlink'd  to  waste  and  desolation  ? 
What  is 't  to  me,  when  you  yourselves  are  cause. 
If  your  pure  maidens  fall  into  the  hand  » 

Of  hot  and  forcing  violation  ? 
What  rein  can  hold  licentious  wickedness 
When  down  the  hill  he  holds  his  fierce  career  ? 
We  may  as  bootless  spend  our  vain  command 
Upon  the  enraged  soldiers  in  their  spoil 
As  send  precepts  to  the  leviathan 
To  come  ashore.     Therefore,  you  men  of  Harfleur, 

II.  flesKdt  inured,  hardened.        26.  precepts^  legal  summonses. 

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sc.  ui        King  Henry  the  Fifth 

Take  pity  of  your  town  and  of  your  people, 

Whiles  yet  my  soldiers  are  in  my  command ; 

Whiles  yet  the  cool  and  temperate  wind  of  grace      30 

Overblows  the  filthy  and  contagious  clouds 

Of  heady  murder,  spoil  and  villany. 

If  not,  why,  in  a  moment  look  to  see 

The  blind  and  bloody  soldier  with  foul  hand 

Defile  the  locks  of  your  shrill-shrieking  daughters ; 

Your  fathers  taken  by  the  silver  beards, 

And  their  most  reverend  heads  dashed  to  the  walls. 

Your  naked  infants  spitted  upon  pikes. 

Whiles  the  mad  mothers  with  their  howls  confused 

Do  break  the  clouds,  as  did  the  wives  of  Jewry        40 

At  Herod's  bloody-hunting  slaughtermen. 

What  say  you  ?  will  you  yield,  and  this  avoid. 

Or,  guilty  in  defence,  be  thus  destroyed  ? 

Gov.  Our  expectation  hath  this  day  an  end : 
The  Dauphin,  whom  of  succours  we  entreated, 
Returns  us  that  his  powers  are  yet  not  ready 
To  raise  so  great  a  siege.     Therefore,  great  king. 
We  yield  our  town  and  lives  to  thy  soft  mercy. 
Enter  our  gates ;  dispose  of  us  and  ours ; 
For  we  no  longer  are  defensible.  50 

X.  Hen.  Open  your  gates.    Come,  uncle  Exeter, 
Go  you  and  enter  Harfleur ;  there  remain, 
And  fortify  it  strongly  'gainst  the  French : 
Use  mercy  to  them  all.     For  us,  dear  uncle. 
The  winter  coming  on  and  sickness  growing 
Upon  our  soldiers,  we  will  retire  to  Calais. 
To-night  in  Harfleur  will  we  be  your  guest ; 
To-morrow  for  the  march  are  we  addrest 

\Flourish.     The  King  and  his  train  enter 

the  town. 

31.  Cttrikrm,  disperses. 
50.  defensible^  capable  of  resisting. 

VOL.  VII  65  F 

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King  Henry  the  Fifth       act  m 

Scene  IV.     The  French  King's /a/a<^. 

Enter  Katharine  and  Alice. 

Kath,  Alice,  tu  as  ^t^  en  Angleterre,  et  tu 
paries  bien  le  langage. 

Alice,  Un  peu,  madame. 

Kath,  Je  te  prie,  m'enseignez;  il  faut  que 
j'apprenne  k  parler.  Comment  appelez-vous  la 
main  en  Anglois  ? 

Alice,  La  main  ?  elle  est  appelde  de  hand 

Kath,  De  hand.     Et  les  doigts  ? 

Alice,  Les  doigts?  ma  foi,  j'oublie  les  doigts; 
mais  je  me  souviendrai.     Les  doigts?  je  pense    lo 
qu'ils  sont  appel^s  de  fingres ;  oui,  de  fingres. 

Kath,  La  main,  de  hand;  les  doigts,  de 
fingres.  Je  pense  que  je  suis  le  bon  ^colier ;  j'ai 
gagn^  deux  mots  d' Anglois  vitement.  Comment 
appelez-vous  les  ongles  ? 

Alice,  Les  ongles  ?  nous  les  appelons  de  nails. 

Kath,  De  nails,  fecoutez;  dites-moi,  si  je 
parle  bien :  de  hand,  de  fingres,  et  de  nails. 

Alice,  C'est  bien  dit,  madame;  il  est  fort  bon 
Anglois.  so 

Kath,  Dites-moi  PAnglois  pour  le  bras. 

Alice,  De  arm,  madame. 

Kath,  Et  le  coude  ? 

Alice,  De  elbow. 

Kath,  De  elbow.     Je  m'en   fais   la  rdp^tition 

Scene   4.    Successive   editors  in  the  absence  of  any  criteria  of 

have  substituted  approximately  his   French    scholarship,    it    is 

correct  modem  French  for  the  hardly  worth  while  to  insist  on 

imperfect  and  corrupted  French  a  few  cases  in  which  the  incor- 

of  the    Folio   text.      Probably  rectness  of   the    Folio   version 

what  Shakespeare  wrote  was  less  cannot  be  due  to  mere  corrup- 

correct  than  what  we  read ;  but  tion. 

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«c.  IV         King  Henry  the  Fifth 

de  tous  les  mots  que  vous  m'avez  appris  dbs  k 
pr^ent 

Alice.  II  est  trop  difficile,  madame,  comma  je 
pense. 

Kath.  £xcusez-moi,  Alice;  ^outez:  de  hand,  90 
de  fingres,  de  nails,  de  arma,  de  bilbow. 

Alice,  De  elbow,  madame. 

Kath.  O   Seigneur  Dieu,  je  m'en  oublie!  de 
elbow.     Comment  appelez-vous  les  col  ? 

Alice,  De  neck,  madame. 

Kath,  De  nick.     £t  le  menton  ? 

Alice.  De  chin. 

Kath,  De  sin.     Le  col,  de  nick;  le  menton, 
de  sin. 

Alice,  Oui.     Sauf   votre    honneur,    en    vdrit^,    40 
vous  prononcez  les  mots  aussi  droit  que  les  natifs 
d'Angleterre. 

Kath,  Je  ne  doute  point  d'apprendre,  par  la 
grace  de  Dieu,  et  en  peu  de  temps. 

AHce,  N'avez  vous  pas  d^jk  oublie  ce  que  je 
vous  ai  enseign^  ? 

Kath,  Non,  je  reciterai  k  vous  promptement: 
de  hand,  de  fingres,  de  mails, — 

Alia,  De  nails,  madame. 

Kath,  De  nails,  de  arm,  de  ilbow.  50 

Alice,  Sauf  votre  honneur,  de  elbow. 

Kath,  Ainsi  dis-je;  de  elbow,  de  nick,  et  de 
sin.     Comment  appelez-vous  le  pied  et  la  robe  ? 

Alice,  De  foot,  madame ;  et  de  coun. 

Kath,  De  foot  et  de  coun !  O  Seigneur  Dieu  ! 
ce  sont  mots  de  son  mauvais,  corruptible,  gros, 
et  impudique,  et  non  pour  les  dames  d'honneur 
d'user :  je  ne  voudrais  prononcer  ces  mots  devant 
les  seigneurs  de  France  pour  tout  le  monde. 
Foh !  le  foot  et  le  coun !  N^anmoins,  je  reciterai  60 
une  autre  fois  ma  le^on  ensemble :  de  hand,  de 
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King  Henry  the  Fifth       actui 

fingres,  de  nails,  de  arm,  de  elbow,  de  nick,  de 
sin,  de  foot,  de  coun. 

Alice,  Excellent,  madame ! 

Kath,  C'est  assez  pour  une  fois:  allons-nous 
\  diner.  \Eoceunt 


Scene  V.     The  same. 

Enter  the  King  of  France,  the  Dauphin,  the 
Duke  of  Bourbon,  the  Constable  of 
France,  and  others, 

F^,  King,  Tis  certain  he  hath  pass'd  the  river 
Somme. 

Con,  And  if  he  be  not  fought  withal,  my  lord. 
Let  us  not  live  in  France ;  let  us  quit  all 
And  give  our  vineyards  to  a  barbarous  people. 

Dau,  O  Dieu  vivant !   shall  a  few  sprays  of  us. 
The  emptying  of  our  fathers'  luxury. 
Our  scions,  put  in  wild  and  savage  stock. 
Spirt  up  so  suddenly  into  the  clouds. 
And  overlook  their  grafters  ? 

Bour.  Normans,  but  bastard  Normans,  Norman 
bastards !  xo 

Mort  de  ma  vie !  if  they  march  along 
Unfought  withal,  but  I  will  sell  my  dukedom. 
To  buy  a  slobbery  and  a  dirty  farm 
In  that  nook-shotten  isle  of  Albion. 

5.  a  few  sprays  of  us,  i.e.  the  14.  nook-shotten.  Probably 
F^ch  who  '  came  over  with  the  '  full  of  sharp  anglesand  comers, ' 
Conqueror/  himself  a  bastard.         i,e.  invaded  on  all  sides  by  estu- 

6.  luxury,  lust.  aries  and  inlets  of  the  sea,  so 
II.  viB,     The  final  ('mute')     as  to  be  naturally  watery  and 

e  of  French  still  had  a  syllabic  'slobbery.'  This  is  a  well-attested 

value  in  ordinary  pronunciation,  meaning  of  'nook-shotten'  in 

as  it  still  has  in  verse.    Similarly  dialects  ;  hence  this  interpreta- 

'  batailles '  below.  tion  is  sounder  than  Knight's 

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King  Henry  the  Fifth 


Con.  Dieu  de  batailles!  where  have  they  thb 
mettle? 
Is  not  their  climate  foggy,  raw  and  dull. 
On  whom,  as  in  despite,  the  sun  looks  pale, 
Killing  their  fruit  with  frowns  ?    Can  sodden  water, 
A  drench  for  sur-rein'd  jades,  their  barley-broth, 
Decoct  their  cold  blood  to  such  valiant  heat  ?  ao 

And  shall  our  quick  blood,  spirited  with  wine, 
Seem  frosty  ?     O,  for  honour  of  our  land, 
Let  us  not  hang  like  roping  icicles 
Upon  our  houses'  thatch,  whiles  a  more  frosty 

people 
Sweat  drops  of  gallant  youth  in  our  rich  fields  1 
Poor  we  may  call  them  in  their  native  lord& 

Dau,  By  faith  and  honour, 
Our  madams  mock  at  us,  and  plainly  say 
Our  mettle  is  bred  out  and  they  will  give 
Their  bodies  to  the  lust  of  English  youth  90 

To  new-store  France  with  bastard  warriors. 

Bour,  They  bid  us  to  the   English   dancing- 
schools. 
And  teach  lavoltas  high  and  swift  corantos ; 
Saying  our  grace  is  only  in  our  heels, 
And  that  we  are  most  lofty  runaways. 

Fr,  King,  Where  is  Montjoy  the  herald?  speed 
him  hence : 
Let  him  greet  England  with  our  sharp  defiance. 
Up,  princes  !  and,  with  spirit  of  honour  edged 

and    Staunton's   '  spawned    or         19.  drench,  physic. 

shot  into  a  nook/  though  this  ib.    sur-rdrCd,   jaded   from 

gives  a  vigorous  sense.      The  being  over-ridden. 

Dauphin's  point,   moreover,    is  ^     .     .,  .         ^.       ,    ^     • 

not  5iat  En^d  is  remote,  but         «6-  ^«/^''  "'^''^'f  ^\,  ^J 

that  it  is  ^  and  uncomfort-  'f  P^  ^^  *^  ^^  ^^^^  ^^^ 

able  to  live  in.    'Nook-shotten'  th«r    owners   make   compared 

aptly  contrasts  England  with  the  ^^  "^®  Enghsh. 

compact,  four-square  contour  of         33.    lavoltas   and    corantos, 

France.  quidc,  lively  dances. 

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King  Henry  the  Fifth       act  m 

More  sharper  than  your  swords,  hie  to  the  field : 
Charles  Delabreth,  high  constable  of  France ;  40 

You  Dukes  of  Orleans,  Bourbon,  and  of  Bern, 
Alen9on,  Brabant,  Bar,  and  Burgundy ; 
Jaques  Chatillon,  Rambures,  Vaudemont, 
Beaumont,  Grandpr^  Roussi,  and  Fauconberg, 
Foix,  Lestrale,  Bouciqualt,  and  Charolois ; 
High   dukes,   great   princes,    barons,    lords    and 

knights. 
For   your  great   seats   now    quit    you    of   great 

shames. 
Bar  Harry  England,  that  sweeps  through  our  land 
With  pennons  painted  in  the  blood  of  Harfleur : 
Rush  on  his  host,  as  doth  the  melted  snow  50 

Upon  the  valleys,  whose  low  vassal  seat 
The  Alps  doth  spit  and  void  his  rheum  upon : 
Go  down  upon  him,  you  have  power  enough, 
And  in  a  captive  chariot  into  Rouen 
Bring  him  our  prisoner. 

Con,  This  becomes  the  great 

Sorry  am  I  his  numbers  are  so  few, 
His  soldiers  sick  and  famish'd  in  their  march, 
For  I  am  sure,  when  he  shall  see  our  army, 
He  '11  drop  his  heart  into  the  sink  of  fear 
And  for  achievement  offer  us  his  ransom.  60 

Fr.  King,  Therefore,  lord  constable,  haste  on 

Montjoy, 
And  let  him  say  to  England  that  we  send 
To  know  what  willing  ransom  he  will  give. 
Prince  Dauphin,  you  shall  stay  with  us  in  Rouen. 
Dau,  Not  so,  I  do  beseech  your  majesty. 

40.  Delabreth,     properly  •  Foix.'     Both  forms  were  re- 

D*  Albret ;  but  Shakespeare  took  stored  from  Holinshed. 

the  name  from  Holinshed.  47.  seats,  signorial  castles. 

44.    Fauconberg,     anglicised  48.  England ;  Henry's  title  as 

by  Ff  to  •  Faulconbridge.'     In  king,  as  in  v.  37  and  elsewhere, 

the  next  line  Ff  read  *  Lojrs '  for  60.  for,  instead  ot 

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sc.  VI         King  Henry  the  Fifth 

Fr,  King,  Be  patient,  for  you  shall  remain  with  us. 
Now  forth,  lord  constable  and  princes  all, 
And  quickly  bring  us  word  of  England's  fall. 

\Exeunt 


Scene  VI.     The  English  camp  in  Picardy. 

Enter  Gower  and  Fluellen,  meeting, 

Gow,   How  now,  Captain  Fluellen  I  come  you 
from  the  bridge  ? 

Flu,  I  assure  you,  there  is  very  excellent  services 
committed  at  the  bridge. 

Gow,  Is  the  Duke  of  Exeter  safe  ? 

Flu,  The  Duke  of  Exeter  is  as  magnanimous 
as  Agamemnon;  and  a  man  that  I  love  and 
honour  with  my  soul,  and  my  heart,  and  my 
duty,  and  my  life,  and  my  living,  and  my  utter- 
most power:  he  is  not — God  be  praised  and  so 
blessed  ! — any  hurt  in  the  world ;  but  keeps  the 
bridge  most  valiantly,  with  excellent  discipline. 
There  is  an  aunchient  lieutenant  there  at  the 
pridge,  I  think  in  my  very  conscience  he  is  as 
valiant  a  man  as  Mark  Antony ;  and  he  is  a  man 
of  no  estimation  in  the  world ;  but  I  did  see  him 
do  as  gallant  service. 

a.  the  bridge.  The  import-  their  arrival  they  found  the 
ance  of  the  fight  at  the  bridge  French  ab-eady  at  work  break- 
hardly  appears  from  the  play,  ing  down  the  bridge,  but  'as- 
but  is  quite  clear  in  Holinslied's  sailed  them  so  vigorously  that 
narrative.  The  bridge  spanned  they  discomfited  them  '  (Hoi, 
the  little  river  Ternoise,  which  iii.  552,  ed.  Stone), 
lay  in  the  way  of  Henry's  march 

upon  Calais.   Henry  accordingly  13.  an  aunchient  lieutenant, 

*  appointed  certain  captains  with  '  ensign  -  lieutenant '     Fluellen 's 

their  bands  to  go  thither  with  imperfect  English  betra3rs  him 

all  speed   before  him,  and  to  into    a    counterpart    of    Mrs. 

take  possession  thereof      On  Quickly's  '  quotidian  tertian. ' 

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King  Henry  the  Fifth       actih 

Gaw,  What  do  you  call  him  ? 

Fiu.  He  is  called  Aunchient  Pistol 

Gow.  I  know  him  not  30 

Enter  Pistol. 

Flu,  Here  is  the  man. 

Fist  Captain,  I  thee  beseech  to  do  me  favotirs : 
The  Duke  of  Exeter  doth  love  thee  well 

Ftu.  Ay,  I  praise  God;  and  I  have  merited 
some  love  at  his  hands. 

Fist    Bardolph,  a  soldier,  firm  and  sound  of 
heart, 
And  of  buxom  valour,  hath,  by  cruel  fate, 
And  giddy  Fortune's  furious  fickle  wheel, 
That  goddess  blind. 
That  stands  upon  the  rolling  restless  stone —  30 

Flu.  By  your  patience,  Aunchient  Pistol 
Fortune  is  painted  blind,  with  a  muffler  afore 
his  eyes,  to  signify  to  you  that  Fortune  is  blind ; 
and  she  is  painted  also  with  a  wheel,  to  signify  to 
you,  which  is  the  moral  of  it,  that  she  is  turning, 
and  inconstant,  and  mutability,  and  variation: 
and  her  foot,  look  you,  is  fixed  upon  a  spherical 
stone,  which  rolls,  and  rolls,  and  rolls:  in  good 
truth,  the  poet  makes  a  most  excellent  descrip- 
tion of  it :  Fortune  is  an  excellent  moral.  40 

Fist  Fortune  is  Bardolph's  foe,  and  frowns  on 
him; 
For  he  hath  stolen  a  pax,  and  hanged  must  a'  be : 

37.    buxom   (used    wiUi    no  is  hi  (pronounced  *  he '). 

definite  sense).  ^j.  Fortune  UBardolpKs foe; 

33.    his:  so   Ft      In  most  referring  to  the  ballad- 
editions  altered  to  *'her.'     But 

the  mistake  was  no  doubt  in-  Fortone,  my  foe,  why  dott  thou 
tended,  confusions  of  pronoun  trownonmci 
gender  being  constant  in  Welsh-  43.  pax;  probably  Shake- 
English,  in  part  owing  to  the  speare's  error  for  'pix,*  which 
fact  that  the  Welsh  for  'she*  is  given  by  Holinshed.  The 
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8c  VI         King  Henry  the  Fifth 

A  damned  death ! 

Let  gallows  gape  for  dog ;  let  man  go  free 

And  let  not  temp  his  wind-pipe  suffocate : 

But  £xeter  hath  given  the  doom  of  death 

For  pax  of  little  price. 

Therefore,   go   speak:    the  duke  will  hear  thy 

voice ; 
And  let  not  Bardolph's  vital  thread  be  cut 
With  edge  of  penny  cord  and  vile  reproach :  50 

Speak,  captain,  for  his  life,  and  I  will  thee  requite. 

I*Iu.  Aunchient  Pistol,  I  do  partly  understand 
your  meaning. 

Fist  Why  then,  rejoice  therefore. 

Flu.  Certainly,  aunchient,  it  is  not  a  thing  to 
rejoice  at :  for  if,  look  you,  he  were  my  brother, 
I  would  desire  the  duke  to  use  his  good  pleasure, 
and  put  him  to  execution ;  for  discipline  ought  to 
be  used. 

Fist  Die  and  be  damn'dJ  and  figo  for  thy 
friendship !  60 

Fiu.  It  is  well 

Fist  The  fig  of  Spain  I  [Exit 

Flu.  Very  good. 

Go7v.  Why,  this  is  an  arrant  counterfeit  rascal ; 
I  remember  him  now ;  a  bawd,  a  cutpurse. 

Flu.  I  '11  assure  you,  a'  uttered  as  prave  words 
at  the  pridge  as  you  shall  see  in  a  summer's  day. 
But  it  is  very  well ;  what  he  has  spoke  to  me,  that 
is  well,  I  warrant  you,  when  time  is  serve. 

Gaw.  Why,  'tis  a   gull,  a  fool,  a  rogue,  that   70 
now  and  then  goes  to  the  wars,  to  grace  himself 

•  pix  •  (pyx)  was  the  box  in  60.  Jigo,  an  insulting  gesture 
which  the  host  or  consecrated  derived  from  Spain. 
wafier  was  preserved.  •  Pax '  62.  The  Jig  of  Spain,  prob- 
was  a  small  picture  of  Christ  ably  equivalent  to  'figo.'  Ae- 
on wood  or  metal,  'solemnly  cording  to  others,  a  reference 
tendered  to  all  people  to  kiss.'  to  poisoned  figs. 

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King  Henry  the  Fifth       actih 

at  his  return  into  London  under  the  form  of  a 
soldier.  And  such  fellows  are  perfect  in  the  great 
commanders'  names :  and  they  will  learn  you  by 
rote  where  services  were  done ;  at  such  and  such 
a  sconce,  at  such  a  breach,  at  such  a  convoy ;  who 
came  off  bravely,  who  was  shot,  who  disgraced, 
what  terms  the  enemy  stood  on;  and  this  they 
con  perfectly  in  the  phrase  of  war,  which  they 
trick  up  with  new-tuned  oaths :  and  what  a  beard  80 
of  the  generaPs  cut  and  a  horrid  suit  of  the  camp 
will  do  among  foaming  bottles  and  ale-washed 
wits,  is  wonderful  to  be  thought  on.  But  you  must 
learn  to  know  such  slanders  of  the  age,  or  else  you 
may  be  marvellously  mistook. 

Flu,  I  tell  you  what.  Captain  Gower;  I  do 
perceive  he  is  not  the  man  that  he  would  gladly 
make  show  to  the  world  he  is :  if  I  find  a  hole  in 
his  coat,  I  will  tell  him  my  mind.  [Drum  heard,'] 
Hark  you,  the  king  is  coming,  and  I  must  speak  90 
with  him  from  the  pridge. 

Drum  and  colours.     Enter  King  Henry, 
Gloucester,  and  Soldiers. 

God  pless  your  majesty  ! 

K.  Hen,  How  now,  Fluellen !  camest  thou  from 
the  bridge  ? 

Nu,  Ay,  so  please  your  majesty.  The  Duke 
of  Exeter  has  very  gallantly  maintained  the 
pridge:  the  French  is  gone  off,  look  you;  and 
there  is  gallant  and  most  prave  passages;  marry, 
th'  athversary  was  have  possession  of  the  pridge ; 
but  he  is  enforced  to  retire,  and  the  Duke  of 

80.  new-tuned,  \,0  2incwiMne\         90.  speak  with  him  from  »hrmg 
new-fangled.  him  news  from  (i,e,  of). 

84.  slanders  cf,  scandals  to. 

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8c.  VI         King  Henry  the  Fifth 

Exeter  is  master  of  the  pridge :  I  can  tell  your  xoo 
majesty,  the  duke  is  a  prave  man. 

K,  Hen,  What  men  have  you  lost,  Fluellen  ? 

Hu,  The  perdition  of  th*  athversary  hath  been 
very  great,  reasonable  great :  marry,  for  my  part, 
I  think  the  duke  hath  lost  never  a  man,  but  one 
that  is  like  to  be  executed  for  robbing  a  church, 
one  Bardolph,  if  your  majesty  know  the  man : 
his  face  is  all  bubukles,  and  whelks,  and  knobs, 
and  flames  o'  fire :  and  his  lips  blows  at  his  nose, 
and  it  is  like  a  coal  of  fire,  sometimes  plue  and  no 
sometimes  red ;  but  his  nose  is  executed,  and  his 
fire 's  out. 

K.  Hen,  We  would  have  all  such  offenders  so 
cut  off:  and  we  give  express  charge,  that  in  our 
marches  through  the  country,  there  be  nothing 
compelled  from  the  villages,  nothing  taken  but 
paid  for,  none  of  the  French  upbraided  or  abused 
in  disdainful  language;  for  when  lenity  and 
cruelty  play  for  a  kingdom,  the  gentler  gamester 
is  the  soonest  winner.  lao 

Tucket     Enter  Montjoy. 

Mont.  You  know  me  by  my  habit 

K,  Hen.  Well  then  I  know  thee :  what  shall 

I  know  of  thee  ? 
Mont.  My  master's  mind. 
K.  Hen.  Unfold  it 

Mont.  Thus  says  my  king :  Say  thou  to  Harry 
of  England :  Though  we  seemed  dead,  we  did  but 

zo8.  bubukles;  a  coinage  of  Ireland,   and   are   in  any  case 

FlueUen's,  for  'carbuncles.'  significant  of  Shakespeare's  judg- 

1x8.  lenity,     Rowe's  correc-  ment  upon  the  harsh  policy  com- 

tion  fi-om  Qq  Ff  'levity.'   These  monly  pursued  there, 
lines  appear  to  convey  a  pointed 
allusion  to  Sussex's  campaign  in         120.    Tucket ,  trumpet-blast 

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King  Henry  the  Fifth       act  m 

sleq) :  advantage  is  a  better  soldier  than  rashness. 
Tell  him  we  could  have  rebuked  him  at  Harfleur, 
but  that  we  thought  not  good  to  bmise  an  injury 
till  it  were  full  ripe :  now  we  speak  upon  our  cue,  130 
and  our  voice  is  imperial:  England  shall  repent 
his  folly,  see  his  weakness,  and  admire  our  siififer- 
ance.  Bid  him  therefore  consider  of  his  ransom ; 
which  must  proportion  the  losses  we  have  borne, 
the  subjects  we  have  lost,  the  disgrace  we  have 
digested ;  which  in  weight  to  re^answer,  his  petti- 
ness would  bow  under.  For  our  losses,  his  exche- 
quer is  too  poor ;  for  the  effusion  of  our  blood,  the 
muster  of  his  kingdom  too  faint  a  number;  and 
for  our  disgrace,  his  own  person,  kneeling  at  our  X40 
feet,  but  a  weak  and  worthless  satisfaction.  To 
this  add  defiance :  and  tell  him,  for  conclusion,  he 
hath  betrayed  his  followers,  whose  condemnation 
is  pronounced.  So  ^  my  king  and  master;  so 
much  my  office. 

K.  Hen,   What    is   thy   name?     I    know  thy 
quality. 

Mont  Montjoy. 

K,  Hen,  Thou  dost  thy  office  fairly.     Turn  thee 
back. 
And  tell  thy  king  I  do  not  seek  him  now ; 
But  could  be  willing  to  march  on  to  Calais  150 

Without  impeachment :  for,  to  say  the  sooth, 
Though  'tis  no  wisdom  to  confess  so  much 
Unto  an  enemy  of  craft  and  vantage. 
My  people  are  with  sickness  much  enfeebled, 
My  numbers  lessened,  and  those  few  I  have 

127.    advantage^    favourable      to  repay  in  full  measure. 

opportunity.  151.  impecu:hment,\xeaAT9Xix^, 

130.  upon  our  cue,  Le.  at  the        ^53-    «/ craft  and  vantage, 

due  moirint.  '^^''^^'^u"  *  "*^.  '"'T' 

onty  and  the  cunning  to  make 

136.  in  weight  to  re-answer,      the  best  of  it 

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SC.  VI 


King  Henry  the  Fifth 


Almost  no  better  than  so  many  French ; 

Who  when  they  were  in  health,  I  tell  thee,  herald, 

I  thought  upon  one  pair  of  English  legs 

Did  march  three  Frenchmen.     Yet,  forgive  me, 

God, 
That  I  do  brag  thus  1     This  your  air  of  France       x6o 
Hath  blown  that  vice  in  me ;  I  must  repent 
Go  therefore,  tell  thy  master  here  I  am ; 
My  ransom  is  this  frail  and  worthless  trunk, 
My  army  but  a  weak  and  sickly  guard ; 
Yet,  God  before,  tell  him  we  will  come  on. 
Though  France  himself  and  such  another  neighbour 
Stand  in  our  way.    There 's  for  thy  labour,  Montjoy. 
Go,  bid  thy  master  well  advise  himself: 
If  we  may  pass,  we  will ;  if  we  be  hinder'd. 
We  shall  your  tawny  ground  with  your  red  blood    170 
Discolour :  and  so,  Montjoy,  fare  you  well. 
The  sum  of  all  our  answer  is  but  this : 
We  would  not  seek  a  battle,  as  we  are ; 
Nor,  as  we  are,  we  say  we  will  not  shun  it : 
So  tell  your  master. 

Mont    I   shall   deliver  so.      Thanks   to  your 

highness.  \Exit, 

Glou.  I  hope  they  will  not  come  upon  us  now. 
JT.  Hen.  We  are  in  God's  hand,  brother,  not  in 

theirs. 
March  to  the  bridge ;  it  now  draws  toward  night : 
Beyond  the  river  we  '11  encamp  ourselves,  zSo 

And  on  to-morrow  bid  them  march  away. 

[Exeunt 

167.   There  *s  for  thy  labour,      that  the  king  gave  the  herald 
SuUiespeare  found  in  Holinshed      '  a  princely  reward. ' 


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King  Henry  the  Fifth       act  m 


Scene  VII.     The  French  campy  near  Agincourt, 

Enter  the  Constable  op  France,  the  Lord  Ram^ 
BUREs,  Orleans,  Dauphin,  with  others. 

Con.  Tut!  I  have  the  best  armour  of  the 
world.     Would  it  were  day  ! 

OrL  You  have  an  excellent  armour;  but  let 
my  horse  have  his  due. 

Con.  It  is  the  best  horse  of  Europe. 

OrL  Will  it  never  be  morning? 

Dau.  My  Lord  of  Orleans,  and  my  lord  high 
constable,  you  talk  of  horse  and  armour? 

OrL  You  are  as  well  provided  of  both  as  any 
prince  in  the  world.  to 

Dau.  What  a  long  night  is  this  !  I  will  not 
change  my  horse  with  any  that  treads  but  on  four 
pasterns.  9^>  ^^  -  ^^  bounds  from  the  earth,  as 
if  his  entrails  were  hairs ;  le  cheval  volant,  the 
Pegasus,  chez  les  narines  de  feu  I  When  I  bestride 
him,  I  soar,  I  am  a  hawk :  he  trots  the  air ;  the 
earth  sings  when  he  touches  it ;  the  basest  horn 
of  his  hoof  is  more  musical  than  the  pipe  of 
Hermes. 

OrL  He 's  of  the  colour  of  the  nutmeg.  m 

Dau.  And  of  the  heat  of  the  ginger.  It  is  a 
beast  for  Perseus :  he  is  pure  air  and  fire ;  and  the 
dull  elements  of  earth  and  water  never  appear  in 
him,  but  only  in  patient  stillness  while  his  rider 
mounts  him  :  he  is  indeed  a  horse ;  and  all  other 
jades  you  may  call  beasts. 

13.  /Af/^r^/ for  Ff  postures.*     Much  Ado,  iil  3.  47. 
ib.    as  if  his  entrails  were         18.  the  pipe  of  Hermes ;  with 
hairst   like  a  tennis-baU.     Cf.      which  he  channed  Argos. 

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sc.  VII        King  Henry  the  Fifth 

Con.  Indeed,  my  lord,  it  is  a  most  absolute 
and  excellent  horse. 

JDau,  It  is  the  prince  of  palfreys ;  his  neigh  is 
like  the  bidding  of  a  monarch  and  his  countenance   30 
enforces  homage. 

Orl,  No  more,  cousin. 

Dau,  Nay,  the  man  hath  no  wit  that  cannot, 
from  the  rising  of  the  lark  to  the  lodging  of  the 
lamb,  vary  deserved  praise  on  my  palfrey:  it  is 
a  theme  as  fluent  as  the  sea :  turn  the  sands  into 
eloquent  tongues,  and  my  horse  is  argument  for 
them  all :  'tis  a  subject  for  a  sovereign  to  reason 
on,  and  for  a  sovereign's  sovereign  to  ride  on; 
and  for  the  world,  familiar  to  us  and  unknown,  to  40 
lay  apart  their  particular  functions  and  wonder  at 
him.  I  once  writ  a  sonnet  in  his  praise  and 
b^an  thus :  *  Wonder  of  nature,' — 

Orl.  I  have  heard  a  sonnet  begin  so  to  one's 
mistress. 

£>au.  Then  did  they  imitate  that  which  I  com- 
posed to  my  courser,  for  my  horse  is  my  mistress. 

OrL  Your  mistress  bears  well. 

£>au.  Me  well;  which  is  the  prescript  praise 
and  perfection  of  a  good  and  particular  mistress.      50 

Con.  Nay,  for  methought  yesterday  your  mis- 
tress shrewdly  shook  your  back. 

Dau,  So  perhaps  did  yours. 

Con.  Mine  was  not  bridled. 

Dau.  O  then  belike  she  was  old  and  gentle; 
and  you  rode,  like  a  kern  of  Ireland,  your  French 
hose  off,  and  in  your  strait  strossers. 

Con.  You  have  good  judgement  in  horsemanship. 

Dau.  Be  warned  by  me,  then :  they  that  ride  60 

49.  prescript t  prescribed.  in  tight  trousers ;  i.e.  with  none. 

The   'French  hose'  were  wide 
57.    in  your  straii  strossers,      and  loose. 

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King  Henjry  the  Fifth       act  m 

so  and  ride  not  warily,  fall  into  foul  bogs.     I  had 
rather  have  my  horse  to  my  mistress. 

Con.  I  had  as  lief  have  my  mistress  a  jade. 

Dau.  I  tell  thee,  constable,  my  mistress  wears 
his  own  hair. 

Con,  I  could  make  as  true  a  boast  as  that,  if 
I  had  a  sow  to  my  mistress. 

Dau,  *Le  chien  est  retourn^  k  son  propre 
vomissement,  et  la  truie  lav^e  au  bourbier : '  thou 
makest  use  of  any  thing. 

Con.  Yet  do  I  not  use  my  horse  for  my  mistress, 
or  any  such  proverb  so  little  kin  to  the  purpose. 

Ram,  My  lord  constable,  the  armour  that  I 
saw  in  your  tent  to-night,  are  those  stars  or  suns 
upon  it  ? 

Con,  Stars,  my  lord. 

Dau,  Some  of  them  will  fall  to-morrow,  I  hope. 

Con.  And  yet  my  sky  shall  not  want. 

Dau,    That   may  be,    for   you   bear  a  many 
superfluously,  and  'twere  more  honour  some  were  80 
away. 

Con.  Even  as  your  horse  bears  your  praises; 
who  would  trot  as  well,  were  some  of  your  brags 
dismounted. 

Dau.  Would  I  were  able  to  load  him  with  his 
desert!  Will  it  never  be  day?  I  will  trot  to- 
morrow a  mile,  and  my  way  shall  be  paved  with 
English  faces. 

Con.    I  will  not  say  so,  for  fear  I  should  be 
faced  out  of  my  way :  but  I  would  it  were  morn-  90 
ing;   for  I  would  fain  be  about  the  ears  of  the 
English. 

Ram,  Who  will  go  to  hazard  with  me  for 
twenty  prisoners  ? 

68.   '  Le  chien  est  retoumi,'  etc.,  quoted  from  the  French  Bible 
(2  Pet.  ii.  22). 

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scvii        King  Henry  the  Fifth 

Con.  You  must  first  go  yourself  to  hazard,  ere 
you  have  them. 

Dau,  'Tis  midnight ;  I  '11  go  arm  myself.  \Exit. 

OrL  The  Dauphin  longs  for  morning. 

Ram,  He  longs  to  eat  the  English. 

Con.  I  think  he  will  eat  all  he  kills.  loo 

Orl.    By  the  white  hand  of  my  lady,  he's  a 
gallant  prince. 

Con.    Swear  by  her  foot,  that  she  may  tread 
out  the  oath. 

OrL   He  is  simply  the  most  active  gentleman 
of  France. 

Con.    Doing  is  activity;  and  he  will  still  be 
doing. 

Orl.  He  never  did  harm,  that  I  heard  of. 

Con.    Nor  will  do  none  to-morrow:    he  will  no 
keep  that  good  name  still. 

Orl.  I  know  him  to  be  valiant. 

Con.  I  was  told  that  by  one  that  knows  him 
better  than  you. 

Orl  What 'she? 

Con.    Marry,  he  told  me  so  himself;    and  he 
said  he  cared  not  who  knew  it. 

OrL  He  needs  not ;  it  is  no  hidden  virtue  in 
him. 

Con.    By  my  faith,  sir,   but  it  is ;    never  any  lao 
body  saw  it  but  his  lackey :  'tis  a  hooded  valour ; 
and  when  it  appears,  it  will  bate. 

OrL  111  will  never  said  well 

Con.    I  will  cap  that  proverb  with  *  There  is 
flattery  in  friendship.' 

121.  'tis  a  hooded  valour;  and  'bated'   or  flapped    its  wings 

when  it  appears,  it  will  bate.  before   flying.      The  Constable 

Both  phrases  are  from  falconry,  quibbles  on  the  last  word,  mean- 

His  valour  is  compared  to  the  ing  that  the  Dauphia's  hidden 

hawk,  which  was 'hooded 'until  valour,     when     exposed,     will 

the  game  was  in  view,  and  then  abate. 

VOL.  VII                               8 1  G 


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King  Henry  the  Fifth       acthi 

OrL  And  I  will  take  up  that  with  *Give  the 
devil  his  due.* 

Con,  Well  placed:  there  stands  your  friend 
for  the  devil :  have  at  the  very  eye  of  that  proverb 
with  *  A  pox  of  the  devil/  X30 

OrL  You  are  the  better  at  proverbs,  by  how 
much  *  A  fooPs  bolt  is  soon  shot' 

Con,  You  have  shot  over. 

OrL  'Tis  not  the  first  time  you  were  overshot 

Enter  a  Messenger. 

Mess,  My  lord  high  constable,  the  English  lie 
within  fifteen  hundred  paces  of  your  tents. 

Con,  Who  hath  measured  the  ground  ? 

Mess,  The  Lord  Grandpr^. 

Con,    A  valiant   and  most   expert  gentlemaiL 
Would  it  were  day !     Alas,  poor  Harry  of  England  !x4o 
he  longs  not  for  the  dawning  as  we  do. 

Orl,  What  a  wretched  and  peevish  fellow  is 
this  king  of  England,  to  mope  with  his  fat-brained 
followers  so  far  out  of  his  knowledge  ! 

Con,  If  the  English  had  any  apprehension,  they 
would  run  away. 

OrL  That  they  lack ;  for  if  their  heads  had  any 
intellectual  armour,  they  could  never  wear  such 
heavy  head-pieces. 

Ram,     That   island   of  England    breeds   very  15© 
valiant  creatures;   their  mastiffs  are  of  unmatch- 
able  courage. 

Orl,  Foolish  curs,  that  run  winking  into  the 
mouth  of  a  Russian  bear  and  have  their  heads 
crushed  like  rotten  apples  !  You  may  as  well  say, 
that 's  a  valiant  flea  that  dare  eat  his  breakfast  on 
the  lip  of  a  lioa 

153.  winkingt  with  their  eyes  shut. 
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ACT  IV        King  Henry  the  Fifth 

Con,   Just,  just;   and  the  men  do  sympathize 
with  the  mastifl^  in  robustious  and  rough  coming 
on,  leaving  their  wits  with  their  wives :  and  then  160 
give  them  great  meals  of  beef,  and  iron  and  steel, 
they  will  eat  like  wolves  and  fight  like  devils. 

Orl,  Ay,  but  these  English  are  shrewdly  out 
of  beef. 

Con,  Then  shall  we  find  to-morrow  they  have 
only  stomachs  to  eat  and  none  to  fight.  Now  is 
it  time  to  arm :  come,  shall  we  about  it  ? 

OrL   It  is  now  two  o'clock:  but,  let  me  see, 
by  ten 
We  shall  have  each  a  hundred  Englishmen. 

\E30€unt 


ACT  IV. 

PROLOGUE. 

Enter  Chorus. 

Chor,  Now  entertain  conjecture  of  a  time 
When  creeping  murmur  and  the  poring  dark 
Fills  the  wide  vessel  of  the  universe. 
From  camp  to  camp  through  the  foul  womb  of 

night 
The  hum  of  either  army  stilly  sounds, 
That  the  fix'd  sentinels  almost  receive 
The  secret  whispers  of  each  other's  watch  : 
Fire  answers  fire,  and  through  their  paly  flames 
Each  battle  sees  the  other's  umber'd  face ; 

Z58.  sympathiMe  with,  com-         i.  conjeciurt,  imaginaton. 
spond  to.  2.  poring,  piirblind. 

163.  shrewdly,  sorely.  9.  baUlt,  anny. 

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King  Henry  the  Fifth        act  iv 

Steed  threatens  steed,  in  high  and  boastful  neighs    » 

Piercing  the  night's  dull  ear ;  and  from  the  tents 

The  armourers,  accomplishing  the  knights, 

With  busy  hammers  closing  rivets  up, 

Give  dreadful  note  of  preparation  : 

The  country  cocks  do  crow,  the  clocks  do  toll. 

And  the  third  hour  of  drowsy  morning  name. 

Proud  of  their  numbers  and  secure  in  soul. 

The  confident  and  over-lusty  French 

Do  the  low-rated  English  play  at  dice ; 

And  chide  the  cripple  tardy-gaited  night  m 

Who,  like  a  foul  and  ugly  witch,  doth  limp 

So  tediously  away.     The  poor  condemned  English, 

Like  sacrifices,  by  their  watchful  fires 

Sit  patiently  and  inly  ruminate 

The  morning's  danger,  and  their  gesture  sad 

Investing  lank-lean  cheeks  and  war-worn  coats 

Presenteth  them  unto  the  gazing  moon 

So  many  horrid  ghosts.     O  now,  who  will  behold 

The  royal  captain  of  this  ruin'd  band 

Walking  from  watch  to  watch,  from  tent  to  tent,       30 

Let  him  cry  *  Praise  and  glory  on  his  head !  * 

For  forth  he  goes  and  visits  all  his  host, 

Bids  them  good  morrow  with  a  modest  smile 

And  calls  them  brothers,  friends  and  countrymen. 

Upon  his  royal  face  there  is  no  note 

How  dread  an  army  hath  enrounded  him ; 

Nor  doth  he  dedicate  one  jot  of  colour 

Unto  the  weary  and  all-watched  night, 

But  freshly  looks  and  over-bears  attaint 

With  cheerful  semblance  and  sweet  majesty ;  40 

That  every  wretch,  pining  and  pale  before, 

11.  dull,  drowsy.  Ff'nam'd.' 

12.  accomplishing  the  knights,  19.  play,  play  for. 
completing  their  equipment                38.   all -watched,  spent   with 

16.  name.     So  Theobaldi  for     watching. 

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SC.  I 


King  Henry  the  Fifth 


Beholding  him,  plucks  comfort  from  his  looks : 
A  largess  universal  like  the  sun 
His  liberal  eye  doth  give  to  every  one, 
Thawing  cold  fear,  that  mean  and  gentle  all 
Behold,  as  may  unworthiness  define, 
A  little  touch  of  Harry  in  the  night 
And  so  our  scene  must  to  the  battle  fly ; 
Where — O  for  pity ! — ^we  shall  much  disgrace 
With  four  or  five  most  vile  and  ragged  foils,  50 

Right  ill-disposed  in  brawl  ridiculous. 
The  name  of  .^incourt.    Yet  sit  and  see, 
Minding  true  things  by  what  their  mockeries  be. 

[Exit 

Scene  I.     TTie  English  camp  at  Agincaurt. 

Enter  King  Henry,  Bedford,  and  Gloucester. 

K.  Hen,  Gloucester,  'tis  true  that  we  are  in  great 
danger; 
The  greater  therefore  should  our  courage  be. 
Good  morrow,  brother  Bedford.     God  Almighty ! 
There  is  some  soul  of  goodness  in  things  evil. 
Would  men  observingly  distil  it  out. 
For  our  bad  neighbour  makes  us  early  stirrers. 
Which  is  both  healthful  and  good  husbandry : 
Besides,  they  are  our  outward  consciences. 
And  preachers  to  us  all,  admonishing 
That  we  should  dress  us  fairly  for  our  end.  zo 

Thus  may  we  gather  honey  from  the  weed. 
And  make  a  moral  of  the  devil  himself. 

45.  that,  so  that  Sc.  i.  Bedford.    The  histori- 

46.  as  may  unworthiness  de-  cal  Duke  of  Bedford,  left  as 
fine,  as  far  as  their  unworthy  'Gustos'  in  England,  was  not 
natures  permit.  at  Agincourt. 

53.  Minding,  recalled  to  the 
memory  of.  10.  dress,  prepare. 

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King  Henry  the  Fifth       activ 

Enter  Erpingham. 

Good  morrow,  old  Sir  Thomas  Erpingham : 
A  good  soft  pillow  for  that  good  white  head 
Were  better  than  a  churlish  turf  of  France. 

Erp,  Not  so,  my  liege:  this  lodging  likes  me 
better, 
Since  I  may  say  *  Now  lie  I  like  a  king.' 

K,  Hen.  Tis  good  for  men  to  love  their  present 
pains 
Upon  example ;  so  the  spirit  is  eased  : 
And  when  the  mind  is  quicken'd,  out  of  doubt,        ao 
The  organs,  though  defunct  and  dead  before, 
Break  up  their  drowsy  grave  and  newly  move, 
With  casted  slough  and  fresh  legerity. 
Lend  me  thy  cloak,  Sir  Thomas.     Brothers  both. 
Commend  me  to  the  princes  in  our  camp ; 
Do  my  good  morrow  to  them,  and  anon 
Desire  them  all  to  my  pavilion. 

Glou.  We  shall,  my  liege. 

Erp.  Shall  I  attend  your  grace  ? 

K.  Him.  No,  my  good  knight ; 

Go  with  my  brothers  to  my  lords  of  England :  30 

I  and  my  bosom  must  debate  a  while, 
And  then  I  would  no  other  company. 

Erp.   The  Lord  in  heaven  bless  thee,   noble 
Harry  !  \Exeunt  all  but  King. 

K.  Hen.  God-a-mercy,  old  heart !  thou  speak'st 
cheerfully. 

Enter  Pistol. 

Pist.  Quivalk? 
K.  Hen.  A  friend. 

Pist.  Discuss  unto  me ;  art  thou  oflficer  ? 
Or  art  thou  base,  common  and  popular? 

19.  UpOHt  io  consequence  oC,  23.  legerity,  lightness. 

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King  Henry  the  Fifth 


K.  Heiu  I  am  a  gentleman  of  a  company. 

Pist  Trairst  thou  the  puissant  pike  ?  40 

K.  Hen,  Even  so.     What  are  you  ? 

Fist  As  good  a  gentleman  as  the  emperor. 

K.  Hen.  Then  you  are  a  better  than  the  king. 

Pist  The  king 's  a  bawcock,  and  a  heart  of  gold, 
A  lad  of  life,  an  imp  of  fame ; 
Of  parents  good,  of  fist  most  valiant 
I  kiss  his  dirty  shoe,  and  from  heart-string 
I  love  the  lovely  bully.     What  is  thy  name  ? 

K.  Hen,  Harry  le  Roy. 

Pist  .Le  Roy !  a  Cornish  n^ne :  art  thou  of 
Cornish  crew  ?  50 

K.  Hen,  No,  I  am  a  Welshman. 

Pist  KnoVst  thou  Fluellen? 

K,  Hen,  Yes. 

Pist  Tell  him,  I  '11  knock  his  leek  about  his  pate 
Upon  Saint  Davy's  day. 

K,  Hen,  Do  not  you  wear  your  dagger  in  your 
cap  that  day,  lest  he  knock  that  about  yours. 

Pist  Art  thou  his  friend  ? 

K,  Hen,  And  his  kinsman  too. 

Pist,  The  figo  for  thee,  then !  60 

K,  Hen,  I  thank  you ;  God  be  with  you  1 

Pist  My  name  is  Pistol  calird.  \Exit, 

K,  Hen,  It  sorts  well  with  your  fierceness. 

Enter  Fluellen  and  Gower. 

Gaw,  Captain  Fluellen  I 

PIu,  So!  in  the  name  of  Jesu  Christ,  speak 
lower.  It  is  the  greatest  admiration  in  the  uni- 
versal world,  when  the  true  and  aunchient  pre- 
rogatifes  and  laws  of  the  wars  is  not  kept :  if  you 
would  take  the  pains  but  to  examine  the  wars  of 
Pompey  the  Great,  you  shall  find,  I  warrant  you,  70 
48.  iulfy,  'dashing  fellow.'  66.  lower/ so  Q^    Ff  fewer.' 

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1 


King  Henry  the  Fifth       activ 

that  there  is  no  tiddle  taddle  nor  pibble  pabble  in 
Pompey's  camp;  I  warrant  you,  you  shall  find 
the  ceremonies  of  the  wars,  and  the  cares  of  it, 
and  the  forms  of  it,  and  the  sobriety  of  it,  and  the 
modesty  of  it,  to  be  otherwise. 

Gow,  Why,  the  enemy  is  loud ;  you  hear  him 
all  night. 

Flu,  If  the  enemy  is  an  ass  and  a  fool  and  a 
prating  coxcomb,  is  it  meet,  think  you,  that  we 
should  also,  look  you,  be  an  ass  and  a  fool  and  a  So 
prating  coxcomb  ?  in  your  own  conscience,  now  ? 

Gow.  I  will  speak  lower. 

Flu.  I  pray  you  and  beseech  you  that  you  will. 
[Exeunt  Gawer  and  Fluellen, 

K.  Hen.  Though  it  appear  a  little  out  of  fashion, 
There  is  much  care  and  valour  in  this  Welshman. 

Enter  three  soldiers^  John  Bates,  Alexander 
Court,  and  Michael  Williams. 

Court.  Brother  John  Bates,  is  not  that  the 
morning  which  breaks  yonder  ? 

Bates.  I  think  it  be:  but  we  have  no  great 
cause  to  desire  the  approach  of  day.  90 

Will.  We  see  yonder  the  beginning  of  the 
day,  but  I  think  we  shall  never  see  the  end  of  it. 
Who  goes  there  ? 

K.  Hen.  A  friend 

Will.  Under  what  captain  serve  you  ? 

K.  Hen.  Under  Sir  Thomas  Erpingham. 

Will.  A  good  old  commander  and  a  most 
kind  gentleman:  I  pray  you,  what  thinks  he  of 
our  estate  ? 

K.  Hen.   Even  as  men  wrecked  upon  a  sand,  too 
that  look  to  be  washed  off  the  next  tide. 

96.  Sir  Thomas.     Theobald's  correction  for  Ff  *  Sir  John. 
99.  estate,  condition. 

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«c.  I  King  Henry  the  Fifth 

Bates.  He  hath  not  told  his  thought  to  the 
king? 

K,  Hen,  No;  nor  it  is  not  meet  he  should. 
For,  though  I  speak  it  to  you,  I  think  the  king  is 
but  a  man,  as  I  am :  the  violet  smells  to  him  as  it 
doth  to  me ;  the  element  shows  to  him  as  it  doth 
to  me;  all  his  senses  have  but  human  condi- 
tions: his  ceremonies  laid  by,  in  his  nakedness 
he  appears  but  a  man ;  and  though  his  affections  no 
are  higher  mounted  than  ours,  yet,  when  they 
stoop,  they  stoop  with  the  like  wing.  Therefore 
when  he  sees  reason  of  fears,  as  we  do,  his  fears, 
out  of  doubt,  be  of  the  same  relish  as  ours  are : 
yet,  in  reason,  no  man  should  possess  him  with 
any  appearance  of  fear,  lest  he,  by  showing  it, 
should  dishearten  his  army. 

Bates,   He   may  show  what   outward  courage 
he  will ;  but  I  believe,  as  cold  a  night  as  'tis,  he 
could  wish  himself  in  Thames  up  to  the  neck;  im 
and  so  I  would  he  were,  and  I  by  him,  at  all  ad- 
ventures, so  we  were  quit  here. 

K,  Hen,  By  my  troth,  I  will  speak  my  con- 
science of  the  king :  I  think  he  would  not  wish 
himself  any  where  but  where  he  is. 

Bates,  Then  I  would  he  were  here  alone;  so 
should  he  be  sure  to  be  ransomed,  and  a  many 
poor  men's  lives  saved. 

K,  Hen,  I  dare  say  you  love  him  not  so  ill,  to 
wish  him  here  alone,  howsoever  you  speak  this  130 
to  feel  other  men's  minds :  methinks  I  could  not 
die  any  where  so  contented  as  in  the  king's 
company;  his  cause  being  just  and  his  quarrel 
honourable. 

Will,  That 's  more  than  we  know. 

107.  element,  sky.  Z15.  fassess  him  witht  com- 

Z08.  conditions,  qualities.  municate  to  him. 

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King  Henry  the  Fifth       activ 

£ates.  Ay,  or  more  than  we  should  seek  after ; 
for  we  know  enough,  if  we  know  we  are  the  king's 
subjects  :  if  his  cause  be  wrong,  our  obedience  to 
the  king  wipes  the  crime  of  it  out  of  us. 

Will,  But  if  the  cause  be  not  good,  the  king  140 
himself  hath  a  heavy  reckoning  to  make,  when 
all  those  1^  and  arms  and  heads,  chopped  off  in 
a  battle,  shall  join  together  at  the  latter  day  and 
cry  all  *  We  died  at  such  a  place ;  *  some  swearing, 
some  crying  for  a  surgeon,  some  upon  their  wives 
left  poor  behind  them,  some  upon  the  debts  they 
owe,  some  upon  their  children  rawly  left.  I  am 
afeard  there  are  few  die  well  that  die  in  a  battle ; 
for  how  can  they  charitably  dispose  of  any  thing, 
when  blood  is  their  argument?  Now,  if  these  150 
men  do  not  die  well,  it  will  be  a  black  matter  for 
the  king  that  led  them  to  it;  whom  to  disobey 
were  against  all  proportion  of  subjection. 

K,  Hen,  So,  if  a  son  that  is  by  his  father  sent 
about  merchandise  do  sinfully  miscarry  upon  the 
sea,  the  imputation  of  his  wickedness,  by  your 
rule,  should  be  imposed  upon  his  father  that  sent 
him :  or  if  a  servant,  under  his  master's  command 
transporting  a  sum  of  money,  be  assailed  by 
robbers  and  die  in  many  irreconciled  iniquities,  z6o 
you  may  call  the  business  of  the  master  the 
author  of  the  servant's  damnation :  but  this  is  not 
so  :  the  king  is  not  bound  to  answer  the  particular 
endings  of  his  soldiers,  the  father  of  his  son,  nor 
the  master  of  his  servant;  for  they  purpose  not 
their  death,  when  they  purpose  their  services. 
Besides,  there  is  no  king,  be  his  cause  never  so 

147.   rawly t  hastily,  without  155.  sinfully  miscarry,  ipensh 

preparation  ;  and  hence  without  in  his  sin2. 
making  due  provision. 

150.    their   argument ^   their         157.  imposed  upon,  chai^ged 

business  in  hand.  against 

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King  Henry  the  Fifth 


spotless,  if  it  come  to  the  arbitrement  of  swords, 
can  trj  it  out  with  all  unspotted  soldiers:  some 
peradventure  have  on  them  the  guilt  of  premedi- 170 
tated  and  contrived  murder;  some^  of  beguiling 
virgins  with  the  broken  seals  of  perjury;  some, 
making  the  wars  their  bulwark,  that  have  before 
gored  the  gentle  bosom  of  peace  with  pillage  and 
robbery.  Now,  if  these  men  have  defeated  the 
law  and  outrun  native  punishment,  though  they 
can  outstrip  men,  they  have  no  wings  to  fly  from 
God :  war  is  his  beadle,  war  is  his  vengeance ;  so 
that  here  men  are  punished  for  before-breach  of 
the  king's  laws  in  now  the  king's  quarrel :  where  x8o 
they  feared  the  death,  they  have  borne  life  away ; 
and  where  they  would  be  safe,  they  perish :  then 
if  they  die  unprovided,  no  more  is  the  king  guilty 
of  their  damnation  than  he  was  before  guilty  of 
those  impieties  for  the  which  they  are  now  visited. 
Every  subject's  duty  is  the  king's ;  but  every  sub- 
ject's soul  is  his  own.  Therefore  should  every 
seedier  in  the  wars  do  as  every  sick  man  in  his 
bed,  wash  every  mote  out  of  his  conscience :  and 
dying  so,  death  is  to  him  advantage ;  or  not  190 
dying,  the  time  was  blessedly  lost  wherein  such 
preparation  was  gained :  and  in  him  that  escapes, 
it  were  not  sin  to  think  that,  making  God  so  free 
an  offer.  He  let  him  outHve  that  day  to  see  •His 
greatness  and  to  teach  others  how  they  should 
prepare. 

Will.  'Tis  certain,  every  man  that  dies  ill, 
the  ill  upon  his  own  head,  the  king  is  not  to 
answer  it 


176.  noHve  punishmeni,  that  183.  unprovided,  xrapn^aaeA. 

inflicted  in  their  own  country.  189.     mote;    Ff    'moth/   a 

179.    before 'bre(uh,  previous  common  but  not  general  spelling 

breach.  of  the  word. 


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King  Henry  the  Fifth        activ 

Bates,   I  do  not  desire  he  should  answer  for  aoo 
me  \  and  yet  I  determine  to  fight  lustily  for  him. 

K,  Hen,  I  myself  heard  the  king  say  he  would 
not  be  ransomed. 

Will,  Ay,  he  said  so,  to  make  us  fight  cheer- 
fully: but  when  our  throats  are  cut,  he  may  be 
ransomed,  and  we  ne'er  the  wiser. 

K.  Hen.  If  I  live  to  see  it,  I  will  never  trust 
his  word  after. 

Will.  You  pay  him  then.  That's  a  perilous 
shot  out  of  an  elder-gun,  that  a  poor  and  a  private  sio 
displeasure  can  do  against  a  monarch  1  you  may 
as  well  go  about  to  turn  the  sun  to  ice  with  fan- 
ning in  his  face  with  a  peacock's  feather.  You  11 
never  trust  his  word  after!  come,  'tis  a  foolish 
saying. 

K.  Hen.  Your  reproof  is  something  too  round : 
I  should  be  angry  with  you,  if  the  time  were 
convenient 

Will.  Let  it  be  a  quarrel  between  us,  if  you 
live.  090 

K.  Hen.  I  embrace  it 

WiU.  How  shall  I  know  thee  again  ? 

K.  Hen.  Give  me  any  gage  of  thine,  and  I 
will  wear  it  in  my  bonnet :  then,  if  ever  thou 
darest  acknowledge  it,  I  will  make  it  my  quarrel 

WUL  Here's  my  glove:  give  me  another  of 
thine. 

K.Hen.  There. 

WiU.  This  will  I  also  wear  in  my  cap  :  if  ever 
thou  come  to  me  and  say,  after  to-morrow,  ^This  930 
is  my  glove,'  by  this  hand,  I  will  take  thee  a  box 
on  the  ear. 

K.  Hen.  If  ever  I  live  to  see  it,  I  will  chal- 
lenge it. 

216.  rounds  blunt 
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8c.  I  King  Henry  the  Fifth 

Will.  Thou  darest  as  well  be  hanged. 

K.  Hen.  Well,  I  will  do  it,  though  I  take  thee 
in  the  king's  company. 

Will  Keep  thy  word :  fare  thee  well 

Bates,  Be  friends,  you  English  fools,  be  friends : 
we  have  French  quarrels  enow,  if  you  could  tell  340 
how  to  reckon. 

K.  Hen,  Indeed,  the  French  may  lay  twenty 
French  crowns  to  one,  they  will  beat  us;  for 
they  bear  them  on  their  shoulders :  but  it  is  no 
English  treason  to  cut  French  crowns,  and  to- 
morrow the  king  himself  will  be  a  clipper. 

[Exeunt  Soldiers. 
Upon  the  king !  let  us  our  lives,  our  souls, 
Our  debts,  our  careful  wives, 
Our  children  and  our  sins  lay  on  the  king ! 
We  must  bear  all     O  hard  condition,  350 

Twin-born  with  greatness,  subject  to  the  breath 
Of  every  fool,  whose  sense  no  more  can  feel 
But  his  own  wringing !     What  infinite  heart's-ease 
Must  kings  neglect,  that  private  men  enjoy ! 
And  what  have  kings,  that  privates  have  not  too, 
Save  ceremony,  save  general  ceremony  ? 
And  what  art  thou,  thou  idol  ceremony  ? 
What  kind  of  god  art  thou,  that  suffer'st  more 
Of  mortal  griefs  than  do  thy  worshippers  ? 
What  are  thy  rents  ?  what  are  thy  comings  in  ?        360 
O  ceremony,  show  me  but  thy  worth ! 
What  is  thy  soul  of  adoration  ? 
Art  thou  aught  else  but  place,  degree  and  form. 
Creating  awe  and  fear  in  other  men  ? 
Wherein  thou  art  less  happy  being  fear'd 
Than  they  in  fearing. 

248.  carefuli  anxious.  the    soul     (essence    or     inner 

ground)   of   thy  adoration   (of 
262.  thy  soul  cf  adortUion,      the  adoration  paid  to  thee). 

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King  Henry  the  Fifth        Acrnr 

What  drink'st  thou  oft,  instead  of  homage  sweet, 

But  poison'd  flattery  ?     O,  be  sick,  great  greatness, 

And  bid  thy  ceremony  give  thee  cure ! 

Think'st  thou  the  fiery  fever  will  go  out  370 

With  titles  blown  from  adulation  ? 

Will  it  give  place  to  flexure  and  low  bending? 

Canst  thou,  when  thou  command'st  the  beggar's 

knee, 
Command  the  health  of  it  ?   No,  thou  proud  dream. 
That  pky'st  so  subtly  with  a  king's  repose; 
I  am  a  king  that  find  thee,  and  I  know 
Tis  not  the  balm,  the  sceptre,  and  the  ball, 
The  sword,  the  mace,  the  crown  imperial, 
The  intertissued  robe  of  gold  and  pearl, 
The  farced  title  running  'fore  the  king,  980 

The  throne  he  sits  on,  nor  the  tide  of  pomp 
That  beats  upon  the  high  shore  of  this  world. 
No,  not  all  these,  thrice-gorgeous  ceremony. 
Not  all  these,  laid  in  bed  majestical. 
Can  sleep  so  soundly  as  the  wretched  slave, 
Who  with  a  body  fill'd  and  vacant  mind 
Gets  him  to  rest,  crammed  with  distressful  bread ; 
Never  sees  horrid  night,  the  child  of  hell, 
But,  like  a  lackey,  from  the  rise  to  set 
Sweats  in  the  eye  of  Phoebus  and  all  night  290 

Sleeps  in  Elysium ;  next  day  after  dawn. 
Doth  rise  and  help  Hyperion  to  his  horse, 
And  follows  so  the  ever-running  year. 
With  profitable  labour,  to  his  grave : 
And,  but  for  ceremony,  such  a  wretch, 
Winding  up  days  with  toil  and  nights  with  sleep, 
Had  the  fore-hand  and  vantage  of  a  king. 

277.    balm,   the   consecrated         280.  farced,  stuffed  out  (with 

oil  used  in  anointing  at  corona-  solemn  and  pompous  epithets), 
tion.  287.     distres^ul,     won     by 

279.  intertissued  robe  <f,  robe  grievous  toil 
interwoven  with.  292.  Le.  rises  at  dawn. 

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sc.  I  King  Henry  the  Fifth 

The  slave,  a  member  of  the  country's  peace, 
Enjoys  it ;  but  in  gross  brain  little  wots 
What  watch  the  king  keeps  to  maintain  the  peace^  900 
Whose  hours  the  peasant  best  advantages. 

Enter  Erpingham. 

Erp.    My  lord,  your  nobles,  jealous  of  your 
absence, 
Seek  through  your  camp  to  find  you. 

K,  Hen,  Good  old  knight, 

Collect  them  all  together  at  my  tent : 
I  '11  be  before  thee. 

Erp.  I  shall  do 't,  my  lord.    [Exit 

K,  Hen,  O  God  of  battles !  steel  my  soldiers' 
hearts ; 
Possess  them  not  with  fear ;  take  from  them  now 
The  sense  of  reckoning,  if  the  opposed  numbers 
Pluck  their  hearts  from  them.    Not  to-day,  O  Lord, 
O,  not  to-day,  think  not  upon  the  fault  310 

My  father  made  in  compassing  the  crown  I 
I  Richard's  body  have  interred  new ; 
And  on  it  have  bestow'd  more  contrite  tears 
Than  from  it  issued  forced  drops  of  blood : 
Five  hundred  poor  I  have  in  yearly  pay. 
Who  twice  a-day  their  wither'd  hands  hold  up 
Toward  heaven,  to  pardon  blood;   and  I  have 

built 
Two  chantries,  where  the  sad  and  solemn  priests 

301.  advantages,  benefit  (the  shed  relates  that  Richard's  body 
peasant).  The  singular  after  was  removed  from  Langley, 
'  hours '  is  probably  due  to  the  *  with  all  funeral  dignity  con- 
notion  of  'peace/  the  real  source  venient  for  his  estate,'  to  West- 
of  the  benefit.  minster. 

Q     'X  AL     ^M     J          z  318'    Two  chantries;   at  the 

V^-J  the  opfosed  numbers;  ^^^^^  ^j  Bethlehem  at  Sheen 

Theobald  s  emendation  for    of,  „ ^  ^  gion  (on  the  opposite 


sides    of   the    Thames),    both 


etc. 

31S.  interred  new.      Holin-      founded  by  Henry. 
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King  Henry  the  Fifth       act 

Sing  still  for  Richard's  soul.     More  will  I  do ; 
Though  all  that  I  can  do  is  nothing  worth, 
Since  that  my  penitence  comes  after  all, 
Imploring  pardon. 

Enter  Gloucester. 

Glou,  My  li^e ! 

K,  Hen.  My  brother  Gloucester's  voice  ?     Ay ; 
I  know  thy  errand,  I  will  go  with  thee : 
The  day,  my  friends  and  all  things  stay  for  me 

[Exeunt 


Scene  II.     The  French  camp. 

Enter  the  Dauphin,  Orleans,  Rambures, 
and  others, 

Orl  The  sun  doth  gild  our  armour;  up,  my 

lords ! 
Dau,    Montez   k  cheval !     My  horse  I   varlet ! 

laquais !  ha ! 
Orl,  O  brave  spirit ! 
Dau,  Via !  les  eaux  et  la  terre. 
Orl,  Rien  puis  ?  I'air  et  le  feu. 
Dau,  Ciel,  cousin  Orleans. 

Enter  Constable. 

Now,  my  lord  constable  ! 

Con,  Hark,  how  our  steeds  for  present  service 
neigh! 

321.  'Since  after  all  my  acts  of  to  suggest  ostentatious  valour, 

atonement  it  remains  needful  for  probably  somewhat  to  this  effect : 

my  pardon  that  I  should  repent. '  *  Water  and  earth  I  will  ride 

4.    Via,    an  exclamation    of  through — '  ;    to  which  Orleans 

encouragement,      current       in  replies    ironically :      •  Anything 

English.  The  incoherent  French  further  ?    Air  and  fire  ? ' — '  Ay, 

scraps  are  in  any  case  meant  and  heaven,  cousin  Orleans.' 

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sc.  II  King  Henry  the  Fifth 

Dau,  Mount  them,  and  make  incision  in  their 
hides, 
That  their  hot  blood  may  spin  in  English  eyes. 
And  dout  them  with  superfluous  courage,  ha ! 
Ram,  What,  will  you  have  them  weep  our  horses' 
blood? 
How  shall  we,  then,  behold  their  natural  tears  ? 

Enter  Messenger. 

Mess,  The  English  are  embattled,  you  French 

peers. 
Con,  To  horse,  you  gallan'^  princes  !  straight  to 

horse ! 
Do  but  behold  yon  poor  and  starved  band, 
And  your  fair  show  shall  suck  away  their  souls, 
Leaving  them  but  the  shales  and  husks  of  men. 
There  is  not  work  enough  for  all  our  hands ; 
Scarce  blood  enough  in  all  their  sickly  veins 
To  give  each  naked  curtle-axe  a  stain. 
That  our  French  gallants  shall  to-day  draw  out, 
And  sheathe  for  lack  of  sport :  let  us  but  blow  on 

them. 
The  vapour  of  our  valour  will  overturn  them, 
rris  positive  'gainst  all  exceptions,  lords. 
That  our  superfluous  lackeys  and  our  peasants. 
Who  in  unnecessary  action  swarm 
About  our  squares  of  battle,  were  enow 
To  purge  this  field  of  such  a  hilding  foe. 
Though  we  upon  this  mountain's  basis  by 
Took  stand  for  idle  speculation  : 
But  that  our  honours  must  not     What 's  to  say  ? 
A  very  little  little  let  us  do. 
And  all  is  done.     Then  let  the  trumpets  sound 

II.  doutt  put  out,  extinguish.  29.  hilding,  base,  mean. 

31.    for  idle  speculation^ 
18.  shaleSt  shells.  idle  lookers-on. 

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King  Henry  the  Fifth        activ 

The  tucket  sonance  and  the  note  to  mount ; 
For  our  approach  shall  so  much  dare  the  iield 
That  England  shall  couch  down  in  fear  and  yield. 

Enter  Grandpr£ 

Grand.  Why  do  you  stay  so  long,  my  lords  of 

France  ? 
Yon  island  carrions,  desperate  of  their  bones, 
lU-favouredly  become  the  morning  field :  40 

Their  ragged  curtains  poorly  are  let  loose, 
And  our  air  shakes  them  passing  scornfully : 
Big  Mars  seems  bankrupt  in  their  beggared  host 
And  faintly  through  a  rusty  beaver  peeps : 
The  horsemen  sit  like  fixed  candlesticks. 
With  torch-staves  in  their  hand;  and  their  poor 

jades 
Lob  down  their  heads,  dropping  the  hides  and  hips, 
The  gum  down-roping  fi-om  their  pale-dead  eyes, 
And  in  their  pale  dull  mouths  the  gimmal  bit 
Lies  foul  with  chew'd  grass,  still  and  motionless ;      50 
And  their  executors,  the  knavish*  crows, 
Fly  o'er  them,  all  impatient  for  their  hour. 
Description  cannot  suit  itself  in  words 
To  demonstrate  the  life  of  such  a  battle 
In  life  so  lifeless  as  it  shows  itself. 

Con.   They  have  said  their  prayers,  and  they 

stay  for  death. 

35.  The  tucket  sonance,  etc. ,  45.  like  fixed  candUsiicks ; 
the  flourish  of  trumpets  which  candlesticks  were  often  made  in 
gives  the  signal  to  mount.  the  form  of  a  figure  holding  a 

36.  dare  (technical  term  of  torch;  sometimes  the  figure  was 
fowling),  frighten  and  cause  to  a  mailed  warrior. 

crouch  on  the  earth, — as  birds         47.  Lob,  droop. 

do  when  the  hawk  hovers  over         49.  gimmal  bit;  probably  a 

them.  bit  made  of  intertwisted  rings 

40.     Ill -favouredly    become,  like  chain  armour, 
make  a  poor  show  upon.  56.  prayers  (two  syllables). 

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8c.  Ill         King  Henry  the  Fifth 

Dau,  Shall  we  go  send  them  dinners  and  fresh 
suits, 
And  give  their  fasting  horses  provender, 
And  after  fight  with  them  ? 

Con,  I  stay  but  for  my  guidon :  to  the  field !       €o 
I  will  the  banner  from  a  trumpet  take, 
And  use  it  for  my  haste.     Come,  come,  away ! 
The  sun  is  high,  and  we  outwear  the  day. 

[Exeunt 


Scene  III.     The  English  camp. 

Enter  Gloucester,  Bedford,  Exeter,  Erping- 
HAM,  with  all  his  host:  Salisbury  and 
Westmoreland. 

Glou.  Where  is  the  king  ? 

Bed.    The  king  himself  is  rode  to  view  their 

battle. 
West    Of  fighting  men  they  have  full  three 

score  thousand; 
Exe.  There 's  five  to  one ;  besides,  they  all  are 

fresh. 

60.  guidon,  standard  or  The  historical  Salisbtiry  and 
banner.  A  generally  accepted  Westmoreland  (as  well  as  Bed- 
correction  of  Ff  *  guard ;  on,'  ford)  were  not  present  at 
supported  by  a  passage  in  Agincourt  (Stone's  Holinshed, 
Holinshed  which  apparently  p.  187).  But  Shakespeare 
suggested  this :  '  The  Duke  of  hardly  had  access  to  the  evi- 
Brabant,  when  his  standard  was  dence  that  they  were  not 

not  come,  caused   a  baner  to  4.  There' s five  to  one.    Holin- 

be  taken  from  a  trumpet. '  shed,  who  also  gives  the  French 

61.  the  banner  from  a  trum-  ""imbers  as  60,000,  reckons 
fet:  the  •  trumpet-banner '  was  2"^""^°  ^^^  been 'six  to  one. 
Tttached  to  the^imipet,  being  ^"^^^  estimat^  Henry  s  force 
displayed  when  the  trumpet  w^  on  tiie  march  to  CaOais  as  15,000. 
blown.  Shakespeare  would  seem  to  have 

taken  a  mean    between   these 
Se.  3,  Enter  Gloucester,  etc.      proportions. 

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King  Henry  the  Fifth        act  iv 

Sal,    God's  arm  strike  with  us!    'tis  a  fearful 
odds. 
God  be  wi'  you,  princes  all ;  1 11  to  my  charge : 
If  we  no  more  meet  till  we  meet  in  heaven, 
Then,  joyfully,  my  noble  Lord  of  Bedford, 
My  dear  Lord  Gloucester,  and  my  good  Lord 

Exeter, 
And  my  kind  kinsman,  warriors  all,  adieu  1  zo 

Bed,  Farewell,  good  Salisbury;  and  good  luck 

go  with  thee  I 
Exc,  Farewell,  kind  lord;  fight  valiantly  to-day: 
And  yet  I  do  thee  wrong  to  mind  thee  of  it. 
For  thou  art  framed  of  the  firm  truth  of  valour. 

[Exit  Salisbury, 
Bed.  He  is  as  full  of  valour  as  of  kindness ; 
Princely  in  both. 

Enter  the  King. 

West,  O  that  we  now  had  here 

But  one  ten  thousand  of  those  men  in  England 
That  do  no  work  to-day  ! 

K,  Hen.  What 's  he  that  wishes  so  ? 

My  cousin  Westmoreland  ?     No,  my  fair  cousin : 
If  we  are  marked  to  die,  we  are  enow  ao 

To  do  our  country  loss ;  and  if  to  live, 
The  fewer  men,  the  greater  share  of  honour. 
God's  will !  I  pray  thee,  wish  not  one  man  more. 
By  Jove,  I  am  not  covetous  for  gold, 

lo.    my  kind  kinsman^   i.e.      to     Westmordaiid,     who     (as 
Westmoreland.  stated)   was    not     present    .at 

11-14.    In  Ff  w.  13.  14  are  ^^^T"^  *\x^*    ^^  S?  **  ^ 

given   to  Bedford,  and  pLced  attributed  to  Warwidc.  who  was 

before    V.    12.       The    present  ^  absen^  being  Governor  of 

arrangement  is  due  to  Thirlby.  C^^'      Hohnshed  m«^ly  re- 

^  ports  that  Henry  •  heard  one  of 

1 6.   O  that  we  now  had  here,  the  host  utter  his  wish '  thus.     It 

etc.      Shakespeare  had  no  au-  is  known  from  the  Gesta  to  have 

thority  for  assigning  this  wish  been  Sir  Walter  Hungerford. 

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sc.  Ill         King  Henry  the  Fifth 

Nor  care  I  who  doth  feed  upon  my  cost ; 
It  yeams  rae  not  if  men  my  garments  wear ; 
Such  outward  things  dwell  not  in  my  desires : 
But  if  it  be  a  sin  to  covet  honour, 
I  am  the  most  offending  soul  alive. 
No,  faith,  my  coz,  wish  not  a  man  from  England  :   30 
God's  peace !  I  would  not  lose  so  great  an  honour 
As  one  man  more,  methinks,  would  share  from  me, 
For  the  best  hope  I  have.     O,  do  not  wish  one 

more ! 
Rather  proclaim  it,  Westmoreland,  through  my  host. 
That  he  which  hath  no  stomach  to  this  fight. 
Let  him  depart ;  his  passport  shall  be  made 
And  crowns  for  convoy  put  into  his  purse : 
We  would  not  die  in  that  man's  company 
That  fears  his  fellowship  to  die  with  us. 
This  day  is  call'd  the  feast  of  Crispian :  40 

He  that  outlives  this  day,  and  comes  safe  home, 
Will  stand  a  tip-toe  when  this  day  is  named, 
And  rouse  him  at  the  name  of  Crispian. 
He  that  shall  live  this  day,  and  see  old  age, 
Will  yearly  on  the  vigil  feast  his  neighbours. 
And  say  *  To-morrow  is  Saint  Crispian  : ' 
Then  will  he  strip  his  sleeve  and  show  his  scars, 
And  say  *  These  wounds  I  had  on  Crispin's  day,' 
Old  men  forget ;  yet  all  shall  be  forgot, 
But  he  '11  remember  with  advantages  50 

What  feats  he  did  that  day  :  then  shall  our  names, 

26.  yearns,  grieves.  for  •  He  that  shall  see  this  day, 

39.  his    fellowship    to    die     and  live.' 

wiih  us,  to  be  our  comrade  in         48.  This  line  is  omitted  in  Ff, 

death.  but  it  follows  v.  47  in  Qq  and, 

40.  the  feast  of  Crispian,  if  not  strictly  necessary  to  the 
October  25  was  the  feast  day  sense,  is  indispensable  to  the 
of  the  two  brothers  Crispinus  picture.  It  was  rightly  restored 
and  Crispianus.  by  Malone. 

44.  He  that  shall  live  this         50.    wiih      advantages,      in 
day,  and  see;    Pope's   reading     heightened  colouring. 
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King  Henry  the  Fifth 


ACT  rr 


Familiar  in  his  mouth  as  household  words, 

Harry  the  king,  Bedford  and  Exeter, 

Warwick  and  Talbot,  Salisbury  and  Gloucester, 

Be  in  their  flowing  cups  freshly  remember'd. 

This  story  shall  the  good  man  teach  his  son ; 

And  Crispin  Crispian  shall  ne'er  go  by, 

From  this  day  to  the  ending  of  the  world. 

But  we  in  it  shall  be  remembered ; 

We  few,  we  happy  few,  we  band  of  brothers ;  60 

For  he  to-day  that  sheds  his  blood  with  me 

Shall  be  my  brother ;  be  he  ne'er  so  vile. 

This  day  shall  gentle  his  condition : 

And  gentlemen  in  England  now  a-bed 

Shall  think   themselves  accursed   they  were  not 

here, 
And  hold  their  manhoods  cheap  whiles  any  speaks 
That  fought  with  us  upon  Saint  Crispin's  day. 

Re-enter  Salisbury. 

Sai.   My  sovereign  lord,   bestow  yourself  with 
speed: 
The  French  are  bravely  in  their  battles  set. 
And  will  with  all  expedience  charge  on  us.  70 

K.   Hen,  All   things  are  ready,   if  our  minds 
be  so. 

West    Perish  the  man  whose  mind  is  back- 
ward now ! 

K.  Hen.  Thou  dost  not  wish  more  help  from 
England,  coz? 

53.  Bedford  and  Exeter,  etc.  the  good  man  taught  his  son ' 

Of  these  *  names, '  only  Gloucester  was  a  proverbial  title  for  maidms 

and  Exeter  were  at  Agincourt.  of  morality  and  edification. 
Talbot,  not  elsewhere  mentioned         63.  gentle  his  condition,  raise 

in  this  connexion,  is  no  doubt  him  to  genUe  rank, 
the  hero  of  i  Hen.  VI.  68.  bestow  yourself,  take  up 

56.  the  good  man,  the  good  your  position, 
man,  head  of  the  family.    'How         70.  expedience,  %'w!^vais&. 
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sc.  Ill         King  Henry  the  Fifth 

West  God's  will!    my  li^e,  would  you   and 
I  alone, 
Without  more  help,  could  fight  this  royal  battle ! 
J^,   Hen,  Why,   now   thou  hast  unwish'd  five 
thousand  men ; 
Which  likes  me  better  than  to  wish  us  one. 
You  know  your  places :  God  be  with  you  all ! 

Tucket     Enter  Montjoy. 

Mont.  Once  more  I  come  to  know  of  thee, 
King  Harry, 
If  for  thy  ransom  thou  wilt  now  compound, 
Before  thy  most  assured  overthrow : 
For  certainly  thou  art  so  near  the  gulf. 
Thou  needs  must  be  englutted.    Besides,  in  mercy. 
The  constable  desires  thee  thou  wilt  mind 
Thy  followers  of  repentance ;  that  their  souls 
May  make  a  peaceful  and  a  sweet  retire 
From  off  these  fields,  where,  wretches,  their  poor 

bodies 
Must  lie  and  fester. 

K.  Hen,  Who  hath  sent  thee  now? 

Mont,  The  Constable  of  France. 
K.  Hen.  I  pray  thee,  bear  my  former  answer 
-  back: 
Bid  them  achieve  me  and  then  sell  my  bones. 
Good  God!  why  should  they  mock  poor  fellows 

thus? 
The  man  that  once  did  sell  the  lion's  skin 
While  the  beast  lived,  was  killed  with  hunting 

him. 
A  many  of  our  bodies  shall  no  doubt 

^6,  Jive  thousand  men;   i.e.      of  miscalculation, 
roundly,    a    host ;     it    is    not         83.  engluUed,  swallowed, 
necessary  to  accuse  Shakespeare         86.  retire,  retreat 


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King  Henry  the  Fifth       activ 

Find  native  graves  ;  upon  the  which,  I  trust, 
Shall  witness  live  in  brass  of  this  day's  work : 
And  those  that  leave  their  valiant  bones  in  France, 
Dying  like  men,  though  buried  in  your  dunghills. 
They  shall  be  famed ;  for  there  the  sun  shall  greet 

them,  zoo 

And  draw  their  honours  reeking  up  to  heaven ; 
Leaving  their  earthly  parts  to  choke  your  clime. 
The  smell  whereof  shall  breed  a  plague  in  France. 
Mark  then  abounding  valour  in  our  English, 
That  being  dead,  like  to  the  bullet's  grazing, 
Break  out  into  a  second  course  of  mischief. 
Killing  in  relapse  of  mortality. 
Let  me  speak  proudly :  tell  the  constable 
We  are  but  warriors  for  the  working-day ; 
Our  gayness  and  our  gilt  are  all  besmirch'd  no 

With  rainy  marching  in  the  painful  field ; 
There 's  not  a  piece  of  feather  in  our  host — 
Good  argument,  I  hope,  we  will  not  fly — 
And  time  hath  worn  us  into  slovenry : 
But,  by  the  mass,  our  hearts  are  in  the  trim ; 
And  my  poor  soldiers  tell  me,  yet  ere  night 
They  '11  be  in  fresher  robes,  or  they  will  pluck 
The   gay   new   coats   o'er    the   French    soldiers' 

heads 
And  turn  them  out  of  service.     If  they  do  this, — 
As,  if  God  please,  they  shall, — my  ransom  then       vao 
Will    soon   be   levied.      Herald,    save   thou   thy 

labour ; 
Come  thou  no  more  for  ransom,  gentle  herald : 
They  shall  have  none,  I  swear,  but  these  my  joints ; 

96.  native,  le.  English.  105.    graxing,   glancing  ofT, 

102.  clime,  air.  "^^"^  inflicting  a  wound. 

107.  tn  relapse  of  moriahty, 
104.    abounding;   used  with      in  the  very  act  of  being  resolved 
a  consciousness  of  the  (false)     into  their  mortal  elements ;   as 
etymology  from  '  bound.'  they  decompose.     L. 

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sc.  IV  King  Henry  the  Fifth 

Which  if  they  have  as  I  will  leave  'em  them, 
Shall  yield  them  little,  tell  the  constable. 

Mont,  I  shall,  King  Harry.     And  so  fare  thee 
well: 
Thou  never  shalt  hear  herald  any  more.        \Exit 
K,  Hen.  I  fear  thou  'It  once  more  come  again 
for  ransom. 

Enter  York. 

York,  My  lord,  most  humbly  on  my  knee  I  beg 
The  leading  of  the  vaward.  130 

K.  Hen,  Take  it,  brave  York.     Now,  soldiers, 
march  away : 
And  how  thou  pleasest,  God,  dispose  the  day ! 

\Exeunt 


Scene  IV.     The  field  of  battle. 

Alarum,     Excursions,     Enter  Pistol,  French 
Soldier,  and  Boy. 

Pist.  Yield,  cur ! 

Fr,  Sol.  Je  pense  que  vous  etes  gentilhomme 
de  bonne  quality. 

Fist.  Qualtitie  caline  custure  me !  Art  thou 
a  gendeman  ?  what  is  thy  name  ?  discuss. 

128.    York.      Edward,  Duke  it  with  an  Irish  refrain  of  some- 

ofYork,  theAnmerleof^i^Aan/  what  similar  sound,  which  we 

//.      Holinshed  mentions  that  know  to  have  been  current  in 

he  was  appointed  to  lead  the  Elizabethan  song-books.     It  is 

van,  but  not  that  he  sought  this  there  written   '  Calen  o  custure 

honour.      This  was,  however,  me,'  or  'Callino  casturame,' — 

described    in    almost    identical  both  phonetic  reproductions  of 

words    by    Lydgate,    and    the  the  Irish  •  Colleen,  oge  astore,' 

tradition     may    have    reached  young  girl,  my  treasure.     The 

Shakespeare's  ear.  Ff   give    '  calmie,'    which    the 

3.  Qualtitie  caline  custure  me/  Camb.  and  other  editors  adopt. 

Pistol,     confronted     with     the  But  it   is   more   likely  the   Ff 

Frenchman's   '  gibberish,'  caps  blundered  in  the  strange  word. 


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King  Henry  the  Fifth       Acrnr 

Fr.  Sol.  O  Seigneur  Dieu  ! 

Fist  O,  Signieur  Dew  should  be  a  gentleman  : 
Perpend  my  words,  O  Signieur  Dew,  and  mark ; 
O  Signieur  Dew,  thou  diest  on  point  of  fox, 
Except,  O  signieur,  thou  do  give  to  me  xo 

Egregious  ransom. 

Fr.  Sol,  O,  prenez  mis^ricorde!  ayez  piti^  de 
moi! 

Fist,  Moy  shall  not  serve;   I  will  have  forty 
moys ; 
Or  I  will  fetch  thy  rim  out  at  thy  throat 
In  drops  of  crimson  blood. 

Fr,  Sol.  Est-il  impossible  d'^chapper  la  force  de 
ton  bras  ? 

Fist  Brass,  cur ! 
Thou  damned  and  luxurious  mountain  goat,  ao 

Offer'st  me  brass  ? 

Fr.  Sol.  O  pardonnez  moi ! 

Fist  Say'st  thou  me  so  ?  is  that  a  ton  of  moys  ? 
Come  hither,  boy :  ask  me  this  slave  in  French 
What  is  his  name. 

Bey.  l^coutez :  comment  6tes-vous  appel^  ? 

Fr.  Sol  Monsieur  le  Fer. 

Boy.  He  says  his  name  is  Master  Fer. 

Fist  Master  Fer!  1*11  fer  him,  and  firk  him, 
and  ferret  him :  discuss  the  same  in  French  unto   30 
him. 

Boy.  I  do  not  know  the  French  for  fer,  and 
ferret,  and  firk. 

Fist  Bid  him  prepare  ;  for  I  will  cut  his  throat 

Fr.  Sol  Que  dit-il,  monsieur? 

Boy.  II  me  commande  de  vous  dire  que  vous 

9.   /oxt  the   English  broad-  15.  rim,  midrifif. 

sword.  29.   y2rr,   probably  a  mean- 

13.  nMy,  ameasure(commonly  ingless    play   upon     Le    Fer's 

of  wheat) ;  according  to  Douce  name. 

27  mojrs  made  2  tons.  29.  Jirk,  drub,  beat 

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sc.  IV         King  Henry  the  Fifth 

faites  voi^  pr6t ;  car  ce  soldat  id  est  dispose  tout 
k  cette  heure  de  couper  votre  gorge. 

Fist  Owy,  cuppele  gorge,  permafoy, 
Peasant,    unless    thou    give    me    crowns,    brave 

crowns  \  40 

Or  mangled  shalt  thou  be  by  this  my  sword. 

Fr.  SoL  O,  je  vous  supplie,  pour  Famour  de 
Dieu,  me  pardonner!  Je  suis  gentilhomme  de 
bonne  maison:  gardez  ma  vie,  et  je  vous  don- 
nerai  deux  cents  ^cus. 

Pist  What  are  his  words  ? 

Boy,  He  prays  you  to  save  his  life:  he  is  a 
gentleman  of  a  good  house ;  and  for  his  ransom 
he  will  give  you  two  hundred  crowns. 

Pist  Tell  him  my  fury  shall  abate,  and  I  s© 

The  crowns  will  take. 

Fr,  SoL  Petit  monsieur,  que  dit-il  ? 

Boy,  Encore  qu'il  est  contre  son  jurement  de 
pardonner  aucun  prisonnier,  n^anmoins,  pour  les 
^us  que  vous  I'avez  promis,  il  est  content  de 
vous  donner  la  liberty,  le  franchisement. 

Fr,  Sol,  Sur  mes  genoux  je  vous  donne  mille 
remerclmens ;  et  je  m'estime  heureux  que  je  suis 
tomb6  entre  les  mains  d'un  chevalier,  je  pense, 
le  plus  brave,  vaillant,  et  trfes  distingu6  seigneur  60 
d'Angleterre. 

Fist,  Expound  unto  me,  boy. 

Boy,  He  gives  you,  upon  his  knees,  a  thou- 
sand thanks ;  and  he  esteems  himself  happy  that 
he  hath  fallen  into  the  hands  of  one,  as  he  thinks, 
the  most  brave,  valorous,  and  thrice-worthy 
signieur  of  England. 

Pist,  As  I  suck  blood,  I  will  some  mercy  show. 
Follow  me ! 

Boy,  Suivez-vous  le  grand  capitaine.     \Exeunt  70 
Pistoly  and  French  Soldier, ^      I  did  never  know 

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King  Henry  the  Fifth       act  iv 

so  full  a  voice  issue  from  so  empty  a  heart :  but 
the  saying  is  true,  *  The  empty  vessel  makes  the 
greatest  sound.'  Bardolph  and  Nym  had  ten 
times  more  valour  than  this  roaring  devil  i'  the 
old  play,  that  every  one  may  pare  his  nails  with 
a  wooden  dagger;  and  they  are  both  hanged; 
and  so  would  this  be,  if  he  durst  steal  any  thing 
adventurously.  I  must  stay  with  the  lackeys, 
with  the  luggage  of  our  camp  :  the  French  might  80 
have  a  good  prey  of  us,  if  he  knew  of  it;  for 
there  is  none  to  guard  it  but  boys.  lExtt 


Scene  V.     Another  part  of  the  field 

Enter  Constable,  Orleans,  Bourbon, 
Dauphin,  and  Rambures. 

Con,  O  diable ! 

OrL  O  seigneur!   le  jour  est  perdu,  tout  est 
perdu  1 

Dau,  Mort  de  ma  vie !  all  is  confounded,  all  1 
Reproach  and  everlasting  shame 
Sits  mocking  in  our  plumes.     O  m^hante  fortune ! 
Do  not  run  away.  \A  short  alarum. 

Con,  Why,  all  our  ranks  are  broke. 

Dau,  O  perdurable  shame !  let 's  stab  ourselves. 
Be  these  the  wretches  that  we  play'd  at  dice  for  ? 

Orl,  Is  this  the  king  we  sent  to  for  his  ransom  ? 

Bour,  Shame  and  eternal  shame,  nothing  but 
shame !  xo 

75.  this  roaring  devil  i*  ike  Twelfth  Night,  iv.  2.  134) ;  the 

^/if/&y/ referring  to  encounters  'wooden    dagger'     being    the 

between   •  the  devil '  and   *  the  Vice's  weapon. 

Vice,'  which  were  a  stock   in-  3.  confounded,  mined, 

gredient  of  the  Moralities  (cf.  7.  perdurable,  lasting. 

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sc.  VI         King  Henry  the  Fifth 

L.et  us  die  in  honour :  once  more  back  again ; 
And  he  that  will  not  follow  Bourbon  now, 
Let  him  go  hence,  and  with  his  cap  in  hand, 
Like  a  base  pandar,  hold  the  chamber-door 
Whilst  by  a  slave,  no  gentler  than  my  dog, 
His  fairest  daughter  is  contaminated. 

Con,   Disorder,  that  hath  spoiled  us,  friend  us 
now! 
Let  us  on  heaps  go  offer  up  our  lives. 

OrL  We  are  enow  yet  living  in  the  field 
To  smother  up  the  English  in  our  throngs,  30 

If  any  order  might  be  thought  upon, 

Bour.   The  devil  take  order  now!  I'll  to  the 
throng : 
Let  life  be  short ;  else  shame  will  be  too  long. 

[Exeunt, 

Scene  VI.     Another  part  of  the  field. 

Alarums,     Enter  King  Henry  and  forces^ 
Exeter,  and  others, 

K,  Hen,  Well   have   we   done,   thrice  valiant 
countrymen : 
But  all 's  not  done  ;  yet  keep  the  French  the  field. 
Exe,    The  Duke  of  York  commends  him  to 

your  majesty. 
K,  Hen,  Lives  he,  good  uncle?   thrice  within 
this  hour 
I  saw  him  down ;  thrice  up  again,  and  fighting ; 
From  helmet  to  the  spur  all  blood  he  was. 

Eoce.  In  which  array,  brave  soldier,  doth  he  lie. 
Larding  the  plain ;  and  by  his  bloody  side, 

II.  die  in  honour :  once.     So  15.  «^  gentler ^  of  no  higher 

Knight        Ff  'dye  in   once,'      birth. 

'flyeinonce.*  8.    Larding,    fattening,    en- 

riching. 

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King  Henry  the  Fifth        act  iv 

Yoke-fellow  to  his  honour-owing  wounds, 

The  noble  Earl  of  Suffolk  also  lies.  xo 

Suffolk  first  died :  and  York,  all  haggled  over, 

Comes  to  him,  where  in  gore  he  lay  insteep'd, 

And  takes  him  by  the  beard ;  kisses  the  gashes 

That  bloodily  did  yawn  upon  his  face ; 

And  cries  aloud  *  Tarry,  dear  cousin  Suffolk ! 

My  soul  shall  thine  keep  company  to  heaven ; 

Tarry,  sweet  soul,  for  mine,  then  fly  abreast, 

As  in  this  glorious  and  well-foughten  fleld 

We  kept  together  in  our  chivalry ! ' 

Upon  these  words  I  came  and  cheer'd  him  up :        30 

He  smiled  me  in  the  face,  raught  me  his  hand, 

And,  with  a  feeble  gripe,  says  '  Dear  my  lord. 

Commend  my  service  to  my  sovereiga' 

So  did  he  turn  and  over  Suffolk's  neck 

He  threw  his  wounded  arm  and  kiss'd  his  lips ; 

And  so  espoused  to  death,  with  blood  he  seaFd 

A  testament  of  noble-ending  love. 

The  pretty  and  sweet  manner  of  it  forced 

Those  waters  from  me  which  I  would  have  stopp'd ; 

But  I  had  not  so  much  of  man  in  me,  30 

And  all  my  mother  came  into  mine  eyes 

And  gave  me  up  to  tears. 

K,  Hen,  I  blame  you  not ; 

For,  hearing  this,  I  must  perforce  compound 
With  mistful  eyes,  or  they  will  issue  too. 

\Alarum, 
But,  hark  !  what  new  alarum  is  this  same  ? 
The  French  have  reinforced  then:  scattered  men : 
Then  every  soldier  kill  his  prisoners ; 
Give  the  word  through.  \Exeunt, 

9.  honouT'Owing,  honourable.  37.  On  Uiis  order,  see  Intro- 

II.  haggled^  mangled.  duction,  and  note  to  vii.  57. 


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sc.  VII        King  Henry  the  Fifth 

Scene  VIIc     Another  part  of  the  field. 

Enter  Fluellen  and  Gower. 

Flu,  Kill  the  poys  and  the  luggage!  'tis  ex- 
pressly against  the  law  of  arms :  'tis  as  arrant  a 
piece  of  knavery,  mark  you  now,  as  can  be 
offer't ;  in  your  conscience,  now,  is  it  not  ? 

Gow,  'Tis  certain  there 's  not  a  boy  left  alive ; 
and  the  cowardly  rascals  that  ran  from  the  battle 
ha'  done  this  slaughter :  besides,  they  have  burned 
and  carried  away  all  that  was  in  the  king's  tent ; 
wherefore  the  king,  most  worthily,  hath  caused' 
every  soldier  to  cut  his  prisoner's  throat  O,  'tis  xo 
a  gallant  king ! 

Flu.  Ay,  he  was  porn  at  Monmouth,  Captain 
Gower.  What  call  you  the  town's  name  where 
Alexander  the  Pig  was  bom ! 

Gow,  Alexander  the  Great. 

Flu,  Why,  I  pray  you,  is  not  pig  great?  the 
pig,  or  the  great,  or  the  mighty,  or  the  huge,  or 
the  magnanimous,  are  all  one  reckonings,  save 
the  phrase  is  a  little  variations. 

Gow,  I  think  Alexander  the  Great  was  bom  30 
in   Macedon :    his    father   was    called    Philip   of 
Macedon,  as  I  take  it 

Flu,  I  think  it  is  in  Macedon  where  Alexander 
is  porn.  I  tell  you,  captain,  if  you  look  in  the 
maps  of  .the  'orld,  I  warrant  you  sail  find,  in  the 
comparisons  between  Macedon  and  Monmouth, 

Sc,  7.  Holinshed  relates  that  distant  from  the  army,  without 

some  six  himdred  French  horse-  any  sufficient  guard,  entered  the 

men,  'being  the  first  that  fled,'  camp,   slew  the  servants,    and 

'hearing  that  the  English  tents  plundered  the  treasure.' 
and  pavilions  were  a  good  way 

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King  Henry  the  Fifth        act  w 

that  the  situations,  look  you,  is  both  alike.  There 
is  a  river  in  Macedon ;  and  there  is  also  moreover 
a  river  at  Monmouth :  it  is  called  Wye  at  Mon- 
mouth; but  it  is  out  of  my  prains  what  is  the  30 
name  of  the  other  river ;  but  'tis  all  one,  'tis  alike 
as  my  fingers  is  to  my  fingers,  and  there  is  sal- 
mons in  both.  If  you  mark  Alexander's  life  well, 
Harry  of  Monmouth's  life  is  come  after  it  indif- 
ferent well;  for  there  is  figures  in  all  things. 
Alexander,  God  knows,  and  you  know,  in  his 
rages,  and  his  furies,  and  his  wraths,  and  his 
cholers,  and  his  moods,  and  his  displeasures,  and 
his  indignations,  and  also  being  a  little  intoxicates 
in  his  prains,  did,  in  his  ales  and  his  angers,  look  40 
you,  kill  his  best  friend,  Cleitus. 

Gow.  Our  king  is  not  like  him  in  that:  he 
never  killed  any  of  his  friends. 

I^u,  It  is  not  well  done,  mark  you  now,  to 
take  the  tales  out  of  my  mouth,  ere  it  is  made 
and  finished.  I  speak  but  in  the  figures  and 
comparisons  of  it :  as  Alexander  killed  his  friend 
Cleitus,  being  in  his  ales  and  his  cups;  so  also 
Harry  Monmouth,  being  in  his  right  wits  and  his 
good  judgements,  turned  away  the  fat  knight  50 
with  the  great-belly  doublet :  he  was  full  of  jests, 
and  gipes,  and  knaveries,  and  mocks;  I  have 
forgot  his  name. 

Gow.  Sir  John  FalstafF. 

jF7u,  That  is  he:  I'll  tell  you  there  is  good 
men  pom  at  Monmouth. 

Gow»  Here  comes  his  majesty. 


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»c.  vn        King  Henry  the  Fifth 

Alarum.  Enter  King  Henry,  with  Bourbon  and 
prisoners ;  Warwick,  Gloucester,  Exeter, 
and  others. 

K,   Hen,    I  was  not   angry  since  I  came   to 
France 
Until  this  instant.     Take  a  trumpet,  herald ; 
Ride  thou  unto  the  horsemen  on  yon  hill :  60 

If  they  will  fight  with  us,  bid  them  come  down, 
Or  void  the  field ;  they  do  offend  our  sight : 
If  they  11  do  neither,  we  will  come  to  them. 
And  make  them  skirr  away,  as  swift  as  stones 
Enforced  from  the  old  Assyrian  slings : 
Besides,  we  '11  cut  the  throats  of  those  we  have, 
And  not  a  man  of  them  that  we  shall  take 
Shall  taste  our  mercy.     Go  and  tell  them  so. 

Enter  Montjoy. 

Exe.  Here  comes  the  herald  of  the  French, 

my  liege. 
Glo.    His   eyes  are   humbler  than   they  used 

to  be.  70 

K,  Hen.  How  now !  what  means  this,  herald  ? 

know'st  thou  not 
That  I  have  fined  these  bones  of  mine  for  ransom  ? 

57.  Enter  King  Henry,  with  Bourbon  and  others  are  taken. 

Bourbon  and  prisoners.     So  Ff.  Henry  has  thus  a  new  batch  of 

Most   modem    edd.    omit   the  prisoners,  and  it  is  these  whose 

reference  to  the  prisoners.     But  slaughter  he  threp.tens  in  v.  66, 

it  was  clearly  intended.     Holin-  as  a  deterrent  to  the  '  horsemen 

shed  describes  a  renewal  of  the  on   yon   hill. '      This,    as   Mr. 

battle    after    the    slaughter    of  Stone  has  shown,  disposes  of 

the  prisoners   previously  taken  Johnson's  sarcasm  :  '  the  King 

(iii.    55s).      It  is  pretty  clear  is  of  a  very  bloody  disposition, 

that     Shakespeare     meant    to  He  has  already  cut  the  throats 

represent  this  by  the  fight  en-  of    his    prisoners ;     and    now 

suing*  on  the  desperate  charge  threatens  to  cut  them  again." 
of    Bourbon    at    the   close   of         72.  Jined,  agreed  to  pay  as  a 

Scene  5.     As  the  result  of  that.  fine. 

VOL.  VII  113  I 


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King  Henry  the  Fifth       activ 

Comest  thou  again  for  ransom  ? 

Mont  No,  great  king: 

I  come  to  thee  for  charitable  license, 
That  we  may  wander  o'er  this  bloody  field 
To  book  our  dead,  and  then  to  bury  them ; 
To  sort  our  nobles  from  our  common  men. 
For  many  of  our  princes — ^woe  the  while  I — 
Lie  drown'd  and  soak'd  in  mercenary  blood ; 
So  do  our  vulgar  drench  their  peasant  limbs  80 

In  blood  of  princes ;  and  their  wounded  steeds 
Fret  fetlock,  deep  in  gore  and  with  wild  rage 
Yerk  out  their  armed  heels  at  their  dead  masters. 
Killing  them  twice.     O,  give  us  leave,  great  king, 
To  view  the  field  in  safety  and  dispose 
Of  their  dead  bodies ! 

K,  Hen,  I  tell  thee  truly,  herald, 

I  know  not  if  the  day  be  ours  or  no ; 
For  yet  a  many  of  your  horsemen  peer 
And  gallop  o'er  the  field 

Mont  The  day  is  yours. 

K,  Hen,  Praised  be  God,  and  not  our  strength, 
for  it !  90 

What  is  this  castle  call'd  that  stands  hard  by  ? 

Mont  They  call  it  Agincourt. 

K,  Hen,  Then  call  we  this  the  field  of  Agincourt, 
Fought  on  the  day  of  Crispin  Crispianus. 

Flu,  Your  grandfather  of  famous  memory, 
an't  please  your  majesty,  and  your  great- uncle 
Edward  the  Plack  Prince  of  Wales,  as  I  have 
read  in  the  chronicles,  fought  a  most  prave  pattle 
here  in  France. 

K,  Hen,  They  did,  Fluellen.  100 

Flu,    Your   majesty   says    very   true:    if  your 

76.  hook^  enter  on  the  list  of         94.  Crispin  Crispianus :  pro- 
killed,  perly  Crispin  and  Crispinian ; 
83.    Yerkt  jerk,  kick.                   and  so  Holinshed. 

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sc.  VII        King  Henry  the  Fifth 

majesties  is  remembered  of  it,  the  Welshmen  did 
good  service  in  a  garden  where  leeks  did  grow, 
wearing  leeks  in  their  Monmouth  caps;  which, 
your  majesty  know,  to  this  hour  is  an  honourable 
badge  of  the  service ;  and  I  do  believe  your  ma- 
jesty takes  no  scorn  to  wear  the  leek  upon  Saint 
Tavy*s  day. 

K,  Hen,  I  wear  it  for  a  memorable  honour ; 
For  I  am  Welsh,  you  know,  good  countryman.        no 

Flu.  All  the  water  in  Wye  cannot  wash  your 
majesty's  Welsh  plood  out  of  your  pody,  I  can 
tell  you  that :  God  pless  it  and  preserve  it,  as  long 
as  it  pleases  his  grace,  and  his  majesty  too ! 

K.  Hen.  Thanks,  good  my  countryman. 

Flu.  By  Jeshu,  I  am  your  majesty's  country- 
man, I  care  not  who  know  it ;  I  will  confess  it  to 
all  tiie  'orld :  I  need  not  to  be  ashamed  of  your 
majesty,  praised  be  God,  so  long  as  your  majesty 
is  an  honest  man.  xao 

K.  Hen.  God  keep  me  so!     Our  heralds  go 
with  him : 
Bring  me  just  notice  of  the  numbers  dead 
On  both  our  parts.     Call  yonder  fellow  hither. 

\Points  to  Williams.     Exeunt  Heralds 
with  Montjoy. 

Exe.  Soldier,  you  must  come  to  the  king. 

K.  Hen.  Soldier,  why  wearest  thou  that  glove 
in  thy  cap  ? 

Will.  An*t  please  your  majesty,  'tis  the  gage 
of  one  that  I  should  fight  withal,  if  he  be  alive. 

K.  Hen,  An  Englishman  ? 

Will.  An 't  please  your  majesty,  a  rascal  that  130 

104.    Monmouth  caps.      Ac-  manufacture  was,  shortly  before 
cording  to  Fuller  •  the  best  caps  he  wrote,  moved  into  Worcester- 
were  made  at  Monmouth,' and  shire.    They  were  specially  worn 
they    continued    to    be    called  by  soldiers. 
Monmouth  caps  even  when  the 

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King  Henry  the  Fifth        act  iv 

swaggered  with  me  last  night ;  who,  if  alive  and 
ever  dare  to  challenge  this  glove,  I  have  sworn 
to  take  him  a  box  o'  th'  ear :  or  if  I  can  see  my 
glove  in  his  cap,  which  he  swore,  as  he  was  a 
soldier,  he  would  wear  if  alive,  I  will  strike  it 
out  soundly. 

K,  Hen.  What  think  you.  Captain  Fluellen  ?  is 
it  fit  this  soldier  keep  his  oath  ? 

JFIu,  He  is  a  craven  and  a  villain  else,  an*t 
please  your  majesty,  in  my  conscience.  z^o 

K,  Hen,  It  may  be  his  enemy  is  a  gentleman 
of  great  sort,  quite  from  the  answer  of  his 
degree. 

J^u,  Though  he  be  as  good  a  gentleman  as 
the  devil  is,  as  Lucifer  and  Belzebub  himself,  it  is 
necessary,  look  your  grace,  that  he  keep  his  vow 
and  his  oath :  if  he  be  perjured,  see  you  now,  his 
reputation  is  as  arrant  a  villain  and  a  Jacksauce, 
as  ever  his  black  shoe  trod  upon  God's  ground 
and  his  earth,  in  my  conscience,  la !  150 

K,  Hen,  Then  keep  thy  vow,  sirrah,  when  thou 
meetest  the  fellow. 

Witt,  So  I  will,  my  liege,  as  I  live. 

K.  Hen.  Who  servest  thou  under  ? 

Will,  Under  Captain  Gower,  my  liege. 

Flu,  Gower  is  a  good  captain,  and  is  good 
knowledge  and  literatured  in  the  wars. 

K,  Hen,  Call  him  hither  to  me,  soldier. 

Witt.  I  will,  my  liege.  [Exit. 

K.  Hen.  Here,  Fluellen ;  wear  thou  this  favour  x6o 
for  me  and  stick  it  in  thy  cap :  when  Alengon  and 

14a.    quite  from  the  answer  the  devil  is;  this  was  proverbial ; 
0/  his  degree,  removed   by  his  cf.  Lear's  *  The  prince  of  dark- 
rank    from     all    possibility    of  nessisagenUeman'(Ar»'n/Z^<sr, 
answering  the  challenge  of  a  iii.  4.  148). 
man  of  Williams'  station.  161.  when  Alenfon  and  my- 

144.  as  good  a  gentleman  as  self  were  down  together.     The 

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sc.  vu        King  Henry  the  Fifth 

myself  were  down  together,  I  plucked  this  glove 
from  his  helm :  if  any  man  challenge  this,  he  is  a 
friend  to  Alen^on,  and  an  enemy  to  our  person ; 
if  thou  encounter  any  such,  apprehend  him,  an 
thou  dost  me  love. 

Hu,  Your  grace  doo's  me  as  great  honours  as 
can  be  desired  in  the  hearts  of  his  subjects:  I 
would  fain  see  the  man,  that  has  but  two  legs, 
that  shall  find  himself  aggriefed  at  this  glove;  170 
that  is  all ;  but  I  would  fain  see  it  once,  an  please 
God  of  his  grace  that  I  might  see. 

K,  Hen.  Knowest  thou  Gower? 

Fiu,  He  is  my  dear  friend,  an  please  you. 

K.  Hen.  Pray  thee,  go  seek  him,   and  bring 
him  to  my  tent. 

Flu.  I  will  fetch  him.  \Exit 

JC  Hen.  My  Lord  of  Warwick,  and  my  brother 
Gloucester, 
Follow  Fluellen  closely  at  the  heels : 
The  glove  which  I  have  given  him  for  a  favour       180 
May  haply  purchase  him  a  box  o'  th'  ear ; 
It  is  the  soldier's ;  I  by  bargain  should 
Wear  it  myself.     Follow,  good  cousin  Warwick  : 
If  that  the  soldier  strike  him,  as  I  judge 
By  his  blunt  bearing  he  will  keep  his  word. 
Some  sudden  mischief  may  arise  of  it ; 
For  I  do  know  Fluellen  valiant 
And,  touch'd  with  choler,  hot  as  gunpowder. 
And  quickly  will  return  an  injury : 
Follow,  and  see  there  be  no  harm  between  them.    290 
Go  you  with  me,  uncle  of  Exeter.  [Exeunt. 

encounter  thus  lightly  alluded  Alenpon ;  yet  with  plain  strength 
to  is  related  by  Holinsbed  in  a  he  slew  two  of  the  Duke's  corn- 
paragraph  headed :  '  A  Valiant  pany,  and  felled  the  Duke 
King.'  Henry  himself  was  himself  (Stone's  Holinshed, 
'almost  felled  by  the  Duke  of  p.  195). 

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King  Henry  the  Fifth        act  nr 

Scene  Vin.     Before  King  Henry's /^iz^ik^ 

Enter  Gower  and  Williams. 
Will,  I  warrant  it  is  to  knight  you,  captain. 

Enter  Fluellen. 

Flu.  God's  will  and  his  pleasure,  captain,  I 
beseech  you  now,  come  apace  to  the  king :  there 
is  more  good  toward  you  peradventure  than  is  in 
your  knowledge  to  dream  o£ 

Will.  Sir,  know  you  this  glove  ? 

Flu.  Know  the  glove!  I  know  the  glove  is 
a  glove. 

WUl.  I  know  this ;  and  thus  I  challenge  it 

\Strikes  him. 

Flu.  'Sblood  I  an  arrant  traitor  as  any  is  in  the   »> 
universal  world,  or  in  France,  or  in  England  I 

Gow.  How  now,  sir  I  you  villain  ! 

Will  Do  you  think  1 11  be  forsworn  ? 

/7«.  Stand  away.  Captain  Gower;  I  will  give 
treason  his  payment  into  plows,  I  warrant  you. 

Will  I  am  no  traitor. 

Flu.  That 's  a  lie  in  thy  throat.  I  charge  you 
in  his  majesty's  name,  apprehend  him:  he's  a 
friend  of  the  Duke  Alen^on's. 

Enter  Warwick  and  Gloucester. 

War,  How  now,  how  now  !  what 's  the  matter  ?  ao 
Flu.  My  Lord  of  Warwick,   here  is — praised 
be  God  for  it ! — ^a  most  contagious  treason  come 
to  light,  look  you,  as  you  shall  desire  in  a  summer's 
day.     Here  is  his  majesty. 

22.  contagious t  for  'outrageous.' 
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sc.  vui       King  Henry  the  Fifth 

Enter  King  Henry  and  Exeter. 

K.  Hem  How  now  !  what 's  the  matter? 

Hu.  My  liege,  here  is  a  villain  and  a  traitor, 
that,  look  your  grace,  has  struck  the  glove  which 
your  majesty  is  take  out  of  the  helmet  of  Alengon. 

WilL  My  liege,  this  was  my  glove;  here  is 
the  fellow  of  it ;  and  he  that  I  gave  it  to  in  change  30 
promised  to  wear  it  in  his  cap :  I  promised  tp 
strike  him,  if  he  did :  I  met  this  man  with  my 
glove  in  his  cap,  and  I  have  been  as  good  as  my 
word. 

JFlu.  Your  majesty  hear  now,  saving  your 
majesty's  manhood,  what  an  arrant,  rascally,  beg- 
garly, lousy  knave  it  is :  I  hope  your  majesty  is 
pear  me  testimony,  and  witness,  and  will  avouch- 
ment,  that  this  is  the  glove  of  Alen^on,  that  your 
majesty  is  give  me ;  in  your  conscience,  now.  40 

K.  Hen.  Give  me  thy  glove,  soldier  :  look,  here 
is  the  fellow  of  it 

'Twas  I,  indeed,  thou  promised'st  to  strike ; 
And  thou  hast  given  me  most  bitter  terms. 

Flu,  And  please  your  majesty,  let  his  neck 
answer  for  it,  if  there  is  any  martial  law  in  the 
world. 

K.  Hen,  How  canst  thou  make  me  satisfaction  ? 

WilL  All  offences,  my  lord,  come   from   the 
heart:    never  came  any  from   mine   that  might   50 
offend  your  majesty. 

K,  Hen.  It  was  ourself  thou  didst  abuse. 

WilL  Your  majesty  came  not  like  yourself: 
you  appeared  to  me  but  as  a  common  man ; 
witness  the  night,  your  garments,  your  lowliness ; 
and  what  your  highness  suffered  under  that  shape, 
I  beseech  you  take  it  for  your  own  fault  and  not 
mine :  for  had  you  been  as  I  took  you  for,  I  made 
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King  Henry  the  Fifth       activ 

no  offence;  therefore,  I  beseech  your  highness, 
pardon  me.  60 

K,  Hen,  Here,  uncle  Exeter,  fill  this  glove  with 
crowns, 
And  give  it  to  this  fellow.     Keep  it,  fellow ; 
And  wear  it  for  an  honour  in  thy  cap 
Till  I  do  challenge  it     Give  him  the  crowns : 
And,  captain,  you  must  needs  be  friends  with  him. 

Flu,  By  this  day  and  this  light,  the  fellow  has 
mettle  enough  in  his  belly.  Hold,  there  is  twelve 
pence  for  you ;  and  I  pray  you  to  serve  God,  and 
keep  you  out  of  prawls,  and  prabbles,  and  quarrels, 
and  dissensions,  and,  I  warrant  you,  it  is  the  better  70 
for  you. 

WilL  I  will  none  of  your  money. 

Flu.  It  is  with  a  good  will ;  I  can  tell  you,  it 
will  serve  you  to  mend  your  shoes :  come,  where- 
fore should  you  be  so  pashful  ?  your  shoes  is  not  so 
good :  *tis  a  good  silling,  I  warrant  you,  or  I  will 
change  it. 

Enter  an  English  Herald. 

K,  Hen,  Now,  herald,  are  the  dead  numbered  ? 
Her.   Here  is  the  number  of  the  slaughtered 

French. 
K.  Hen,  What  prisoners  of  good  sort  are  taken, 

uncle  ?  80 

Exe,  Charles  Duke  of  Orleans,  nephew  to  the 
king ; 
John  Duke  of  Bourbon,  and  Lord  Bouciqualt : 
Of  other  lords  and  barons,  knights  and  squires. 
Full  fifteen  hundred,  besides  common  men. 

K,  Hen,  This  note  doth  tell  me  of  ten  thousand 
French 

81  f.    The  catalogue  closely  follows  Holinshed  both  in  names 
and  numbers. 

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8c.  viii       King  Henry  the  Fifth 

That  in  the  field  lie  slain:  of  princes,  in  this 

number, 
And  nobles  bearing  banners,  there  he  dead 
One  hundred  twenty  six :  added  to  these, 
Of  knights,  esquires,  and  gallant  gentlemen. 
Eight  thousand  and  four  hundred ;  of  the  which,      90 
Five  hundred  were  but  yesterday  dubb*d  knights : 
So  that,  in  these  ten  thousand  they  have  lost, 
There  are  but  sixteen  hundred  mercenaries ; 
The  rest  are  princes,  barons,  lords,  knights,  squires, 
And  gentlemen  of  blood  and  quality. 
The  names  of  those  their  nobles  that  he  dead : 
Charles  Delabreth,  high  constable  of  France ; 
Jacques  of  Chatillon,  admiral  of  France ; 
The  master  of  the  cross-bows,  Lord  Rambures ; 
Great  Master  of  France,  the  brave  Sir  Guichard 

Dolphin,  xoo 

John  Duke  of  Alen9on,  Anthony  Duke  of  Brabant, 
The  brother  to  the  Duke  of  Burgundy, 
And  Edward  Duke  of  Bar  :  of  lusty  earls, 
Grandpr^  and  Roussi,  Fauconberg  and  Foix, 
Beaumont  and  Marie,  Vaudemont  and  Lestrale. 
Here  was  a  royal  fellowship  of  death ! 
Where  is  the  number  of  our  English  dead  ? 

[Herald  shews  him  another  paper. 
Edward  the  Duke  of  York,  the  Earl  of  Suffolk, 
Sir  Richard  Ketly,  Davy  Gam,  esquire : 
None  else  of  name ;  and  of  all  other  men  no 

But  five  and  twenty.     O  God,  thy  arm  was  here ; 
And  not  to  us,  but  to  thy  arm  alone. 
Ascribe  we  all !     When,  without  stratagem, 
But  in  plain  shock  and  even  play  of  battle, 

98.  Jacques  (monosyllable).        report  of  •  some  * ;  adding,  '  but 

99.  cross  -  baws^  cross  -  bow     other  writers  of  greater  credit 
men.  affirm,    that    there  were    slain 

III.    But  five  and  twenty,      above    five    or    six    hundred 
Holinshed    gives    this    as    the     persons.* 
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King  Henry  the  Fifth        actv 

Was  ever  known  so  great  and  little  loss 

On  one  part  and  on  the  other  ?     Take  it,  God, 

For  it  is  none  but  thine  ! 

Exe,  *Tis  wonderful ! 

K.  Hen,  Come,  go  we  in  procession  to  the  village : 
And  be  it  death  proclaimed  through  our  host 
To  boast  of  this  or  take  that  praise  from  God  xw 

Which  is  his  only. 

Mu,  Is  it  not  lawful,  an  please  your  majesty,  to 
tell  how  many  is  killed  ? 

K.  Hen.  Yes,  cs^tain ;  but  with  this  acknow- 
ledgement, 
That  God  fought  for  us. 

Fiu.  Yes,  my  conscience,  he  did  us  great  good. 

K  Hen,  Do  we  all  holy  rites ; 
Let  there  be  sung  *  Non  nobis '  and  *  Te  Deum ; ' 
The  dead  with  charity  enclosed  in  clay : 
And  then  to  Calais ;  and  to  England  then ;  130 

Where  ne'er  from  France  arrived  more  happy  men. 

[Exeunt 


ACT  V 

PROLOGUK 

Enter  Chorus. 

Char,  Vouchsafe  to  those  that  have  not  read 
the  story, 
That  I  may  prompt  them  :  and  of  such  as  have, 
I  humbly  pray  them  to  admit  the  excuse 
Of  time,  of  numbers  and  due  course  of  things, 
Which  cannot  in  their  huge  and  proper  life 
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pROL.         King  Henry  the  Fifth 

Be  here  presented     Now  we  bear  the  king 
Toward  Calais :  grant  him  there ;  there  seen, 
Heave  him  away  upon  your  winged  thoughts 
Athwart  the  sea.     Behold,  the  English  beach 
Pales  in  the  flood  with  men,  with  wives  and  boys,    xo 
Whose  shouts  and  claps  out-voice  the  deep-mouth'd 

sea, 
Which  like  a  mighty  whiffler  Yore  the  king 
Seems  to  prepare  his  way :  so  let  him  land. 
And  solemnly  see  him  set  on  to  London. 
So  swift  a  pace  hath  thought  that  even  now 
You  may  imagine  him  upon  Blackheath ; 
Where  that  his  lords  desire  him  to  have  borne 
His  bruised  helmet  and  his  bended  sword 
Before  him  through  the  city :  he  forbids  it, 
Being  free  from  vainness  and  self-glorious  pride ;     so 
Giving  full  trophy,  signal  and  ostent 
Quite  from  himself  to  God.     But  now  behold, 
In  the  quick  forge  and  working-house  of  thought. 
How  London  doth  pour  out  her  citizens ! 
The  mayor  and  all  his  brethren  in  best  sort. 
Like  to  the  senators  of  the  antique  Rome, 
With  the  plebeians  swarming  at  their  heels, 
Go  forth  and  fetch  their  conquering  Caesar  in : 
As,  by  a  lower  but  loving  hkelihood, 
Were  now  the  general  of  our  gracious  empress,        30 
As  in  good  time  he  may,  from  Ireland  coming. 
Bringing  rebellion  broached  on  his  sword. 
How  many  would  the  peaceful  city  quit, 

12.  wkijler,  one vrhomaiched  29.    dy  a  lower  but   loving 

or  rode  at  the  head  of  a  pro-  Hkelihood,  to  compare  Henry's 

cession  to  clear  the  way,  fur-  triumphal  entry  with  another, 

nished    with   a  staff,    or    lath  less  momentous,   but  not  less 

sword.       The     •  wUffle '    was  welcome, 

probably  a  fife.  30.  the  general,  the  Eail  of 

21.    signal  and  ostent,  sign  Essex,  who  had  been  sent  in 

and  outward  show  of  triumph.  March  1599  to  suppress  the  Irish 

25.  sort,  array.  revolt.     See  the  Introduction. 

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King  Henry  the  Fifth 


ACT  Y 


To  welcome  him !  much  more,  and  much  more 

cause, 
Did  they  this  Harry.     Now  in  London  place  him; 
As  yet  the  lamentation  of  the  French 
Invites  the  king  of  England's  stay  at  home ; 
The  emperor 's  coming  in  behalf  of  France, 
To  order  peace  between  them ;  and  omit 
All  the  occurrences,  whatever  chanced, 
Till  Harry's  back-return  again  to  France : 
There   must  we   bring  him ;    and   myself  have 

play'd 
The  interim,  by  remembering  you  'tis  past 
Then  brook  abridgement,  and  your  eyes  advance, 
After  your  thoughts,  straight  back  again  to  France. 

[JSxif. 


•  Scene  I.     France,     The  English  camp. 

Enter  Fluellen  and  Gower. 

Gow,    Nay,  that's  right;    but  why  wear  you 
your  leek  to-day  ?     Saint  Davy's  day  is  past. 

Flu,  There  is  occasions  and  causes  why  and 
wherefore  in  all  things :  I  will  tell  you,  asse  my 
friend.  Captain  Gower :  the  rascally,  scauld,  beg- 
garly, lousy,  pragging  knave.  Pistol,  which  you  and 
yourself  and  all  the  world  know  to  be  no  petter 
than  a  fellow,  look  you  now,  of  no  merits,  he  is 
come  to  me  and  prings  me  pread  and  salt  yester- 
day, look  you,  and  bid  me  eat  my  leek :  it  was  in  xo 
a  place  where  I  could  not  breed  no  contention 
with  him ;  but  I  will  be  so  bold  as  to  wear  it  in  my 
cap  till  I  see  him  once  again,  and  then  I  will  tell 
him  a  little  piece  of  my  desires. 

38.   The  emperor;  Sigismund,      England  in  May  1416. 
Emperor  of  Germany,  landed  in  5.  scauld^  scabby. 

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sc.  I  King  Henry  the  Fifth 

Enter  Pistol. 

Gow.  Why,  here  he  comes,  swelling  like  a 
turkey-cock, 

jF2u,  Tis  no  matter  for  his  swellings  nor  his 
tmrkey-cocks.  God  pless  you,  Aunchient  Pistol! 
you  scurvy,  lousy  knave,  God  pless  you ! 

Fist  Ha!  art  thou  bedlam?  dost  thou  thirst, 
base  Trojan,  ao 

To  have  me  fold  up  Parca's  fatal  web  ? 
Hence !  I  am  qualmish  at  the  smell  of  leek. 

Flu,  I  peseech  you  heartily,  scurvy,  lousy 
knave,  at  my  desires,  and  my  requests,  and  my 
petitions,  to  eat,  look  you,  this  leek:  because, 
look  you,  you  do  not  love  it,  nor  your  affections 
and  your  appetites  and  your  disgestions  doo's  not 
agree  with  it,  I  would  desire  you  to  eat  it. 

Pist  Not  for  Cadwallader  and  all  his  goats. 

Flu,  There  is  one  goat  for  you.     [Strikes  Aim,]  30 
Will  you  be  so  good,  scauld  knave,  as  eat  it  ? 

Fist.  Base  Trojan,  thou  shalt  die. 

F/u.  You  say  very  true,  scauld  knave,  when 
God's  will  is:  I  will  desure  you  to  live  in  the 
mean  time,  and  eat  your  victuals:  come,  there 
is  sauce  for  it  [Strikes  kirn,]  You  called  me 
yesterday  mountain-squire;  but  I  will  make  you 
to  day  a  squire  of  low  degree.  I  pray  you,  fall 
to :  if  you  can  mock  a  leek,  you  can  eat  a  leek. 

Gow,   Enough,  captain :  you  have   astonished  40 
him. 

Flu,  I  say,  I  will  make  him  eat  some  part  of 
my  leek,  or  I  will  peat  his  pate  four  days.  Bite, 
I  pray  you ;  it  is  good  for  your  green  wound  and 
your  ploody  coxcomb. 

29.   Cadwaltader,3.legtad3ry         38.  a  squire  of  low  degree; 
Welsh  king.  alluding     to      the      burlesque 

32.   Trojan,  knave.  romance  so  entitled. 


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King  Henry  the  Fifth        actv 

Fist  Must  I  bite? 

Hu,  Yes,  certainly,  and  out  of  doubt  and  out 
of  question  too,  and  ambiguities. 

Pist  By  this  leek,  I  will  most  horribly  revenge : 
I  eat  and  eat,  I  swear —  50 

Flu,  Eat,  I  pray  you :  will  you  have  some 
more  sauce  to  your  leek?  there  is  not  enough  leek 
to  swear  by. 

Fist  Quiet  thy  cudgel ;  thou  dost  see  I  eat 

Flu,  Much  good  do  you,  scauld  knave,  heartily. 
Nay,  pray  you,  throw  none  away;  the  skin  is 
good  for  your  broken  coxcomb.  When  you  take 
occasions  to  see  leeks  hereafter,  I  pray  you,  mock 
at  'em ;  that  is  all 

Fist  Good.  60 

Flu,  Ay,  leeks  is  good:  hold  you,  there  is  a 
groat  to  heal  your  pate. 

Fist,  Me  a  groat ! 

Flu,  Yes,  verily  and  in  truth,  you  shall  take 
it;  or  I  have  another  leek  in  my  pocket,  which 
you  shall  eat 

Fist  I  take  thy  groat  in  earnest  of  revenge. 

Flu,  If  I  owe  you  any  thing,  I  will  pay  you 
in  cudgels :  you  shall  be  a  woodmonger,  and  buy 
nothing  of  me  but  cudgels.     God  b'  wi'  you,  and   70 
keep  you,  and  heal  your  pate.  \Exit 

Fist  All  hell  shall  stir  for  this. 

Gow,  Go,  go;  you  are  a  counterfeit  cowardly 
knave.  Will  you  mock  at  an  ancient  tradition, 
begun  upon  an  honourable  respect,  and  worn  as  a 
memorable  trophy  of  predeceased  valour  and  dare 
not  avouch  in  your  deeds  any  of  your  words? 
I  have  seen  you  gleeking  and  galling  at  this 
gentleman  twice  or  thrice.  You  thought,  because 
he  could  not  speak  English  in  the  native  garb,  he  80 
78.  gleeking,  scofl5ng. 
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sc.  II  King  Henry  the  Fifth 

could  not  therefore  handle  an  English  cudgel: 
you  find  it  otherwise ;  and  henceforth  let  a  Welsh 
correction  teach  you  a  good  English  condition. 
Fare  ye  well.  [Exi^. 

Pist.  Doth  Fortune  play  the  huswife  with  me 
now? 
News  have  I,  that  my  Nell  is  dead  i'  the  spital 
Of  malady  of  France ; 
And  there  my  rendezvous  is  quite  cut  off. 
Old  I  do  wax ;  and  from  my  weary  limbs 
Honour  is  cudgelled.     Wel^  bawd  I  '11  turn, 
And  something  lean  to  cutpurse  of  quick  hand. 
To  England  will  I  steal,  and  there  I  '11  steal : 
And  patches  will  I  get  unto  these  cudgell'd  scars, 
And  swear  I  got  them  in  the  Gallia  wars.      \Eocit 


Scene  II.     France.     A  royal  palace. 

Enter,  at  one  door.  King  Henry,  Exeter,  Bed- 
ford, Gloucester,  Clarence,  Warwick, 
Westmoreland,  and  other  Lords ;  at  another, 
the  French  King,  Queen  Isabel,  the  Prin- 
cess Katharine,  Alice  and  other  Ladies;  the 
Duke  of  Burgundy,  and  his  train, 

K,  Hen,  Peace  to  this  meeting,  wherefore  we 
are  met ! 

83.  condition,  behaviour.  at  Troyes. 

85.  huswife,  jilt.  Clarence.      Clarence's    name 

86.  Nell,  Ff.  have  '  Doll  * ;  has  not  hitherto  been  included 
but  only  Pistol's  Mrife,  the  former  in  the  stage  direction  or  among 
Mrs.  Quickly,  can  be  meant,  the  dramatis  personae,  since  he 
though  Shakespeare,  who  '  never  does  not  speajc ;  but  v.  84  im- 
blotted  a  line,'  may  have  left  plies  that  he  is  present.  Hun- 
uncorrected  an  original  slip  of  tingdon,  who  is  addressed  in  the 
the  pen.  next   line,   is   included   among 

Sc.  2.  The  scene  of  Henry's     the  'other  Lords.' 
betrothal,  according  to  Holin-  i.  wkerefore^  for  which  (viz. 

shed,  was  'S.  Peter's  Church'      peace). 

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King  Henry  the  Fifth 


ACT  V 


Unto  our  brother  France,  and  to  our  sister, 

Health  and  fair  time  of  day ;  joy  and  good  wishes 

To  our  most  fair  and  princely  cousin  Katharine ; 

And,  as  a  branch  and  member  of  this  royalty, 

By  whom  this  great  assembly  is  contrived. 

We  do  salute  you,  Duke  of  Burgundy ; 

And,  princes  French,  and  peers,  health  to  you  all ! 

Fr,  King,  Right  joyous  are  we  to  behold  your 
face, 
Most  worthy  brother  England ;  fairly  met :  lo 

So  are  you,  princes  English,  every  one. 

Q,  Isa,  So  happy  be  the  issue,  brother  England, 
Of  this  good  day  and  of  this  gracious  meeting. 
As  we  are  now  glad  to  behold  your  eyes ; 
Your  eyes,  which  hitherto  have  borne  in  them 
Against  the  French,  that  met  them  in  their  bent, 
The  fatal  balls  of  murdering  basilisks : 
The  venom  of  such  looks,  we  fairly  hope. 
Have  lost  their  quality,  and  that  this  day 
Shall  change  all  griefs  and  quarrels  into  love.  «> 

K,  Hen,  To  cry  amen  to  that,  thus  we  appear. 

Q.  Isa,  You  English  princes  all,   I  do  salute 
you. 

Bur,  My  duty  to  you  both,  on  equal  love, 
Great  Kings  of  France  and  England  1     That  I 

have  laboured. 
With  all  my  wits,  my  pains  and  strong  endeavours, 
To  bring  your  most  imperial  majesties 
Unto  this  bar  and  royal  interview, 
Your  mightiness  on  both  parts  best  can  witness. 

II.     So    are    you,    princes  play  upon  the  two  senses  :  (i)  a 

English ;    Ffj,,    '  so   are    you  fabulous  animal  whose  glances 

princess  (English).'  slew  ;  (2)  a  large  cannon. 

16.  bent,   the    direction   (or  19.  Have;  the  plural  by  at- 
aim)   of  an  eye -glance  (or  a  traction  after 'looks.' 
cannon-shot).                                        27.     bar,    place    of   confer- 

17.  basilisks;   used  with  a  ence. 

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sc.  II  King  Henry  the  Fifth 

Since  then  my  office  hath  so  far  prevailed 

That,  face  to  face  and  royal  eye  to  eye,  30 

You  have  cqngreeted,  let  it  not  disgrace  me, 

If  I  demand,  before  this  royal  view. 

What  rub  or  what  impediment  there  is, 

Why  that  the  naked,  poor  and  mangled  Peace, 

Dear  nurse  of  arts,  plenties  and  joyful  births. 

Should  not  in  this  best  garden  of  the  world, 

Our  fertile  France,  put  up  her  lovely  visage  ? 

Alas,  she  hath  from  France  too  long  been  chased. 

And  all  her  husbandry  doth  lie  on  heaps. 

Corrupting  in  it  own  fertility.  40 

Her  vine,  the  merry  cheerer  of  the  heart, 

Unpruned  dies ;  her  hedges  even-pleach'd. 

Like  prisoners  wildly  overgrown  with  hair. 

Put  forth  disordered  twigs ;  her  fallow  leas 

The  darnel,  hemlock  and  rank  fumitory 

Doth  root  upon,  while  that  the  coulter  rusts 

That  should  deracinate  such  savagery ; 

The  even  mead,  that  erst  brought  sweetly  forth 

The  freckled  cowslip,  bumet  and  green  clover. 

Wanting  the  scythe,  all  uncorrected,  rank,  so 

Conceives  by  idleness,  and  nothing  teems 

But  hateful  docks,  rough  thistles,  kecksies,  burs, 

Losing  both  beauty  and  utility. 

And  as  our  vineyards,  fallows,  meads  and  hedges^ 

Defective  in  their  natures,  grow  to  wildness. 

Even  so  our  houses  and  ourselves  and  children 

Have  lost,  or  do  not  learn  for  want  of  time, 

31.    congreetedt   greeted  one  found  occasionaUy  elsewhere  in 

another.  Fj. 

33.  rub,  hindrance.  ,  42-  even-p leach' d,  trimmed  to 
form  an  even  surface. 

40.  it;  so  Fj  Fj.     'Its'  was         49.    bumet,   a  herb  used  in 

not  yet  current  till  after  Shake-  stanching  wounds, 
speare's  death,  and  occurs  in  this         53.    kecksies,    dry   hemlock - 

passage  only  in  F,and  F4,  though  staSUcs. 

VOL.  Vll  129  K 


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King  Henry  the  Fifth         actv 

The  sciences  that  should  become  our  country ; 

But  grow  like  savages, — as  soldiers  will 

That  nothing  do  but  meditate  on  biood,-r-  60 

To  swearing  and  stem  looks,  defused  attire 

And  every  thing  that  seems  unnatural. 

Which  to  reduce  into  our  former  favour 

You  are  assembled  :  and  my  speech  entreats 

That  I  may  know  the  let,  why  gentle  Peace 

Should  not  expel  these  inconveniences 

And  bless  us  with  her  former  qualities. 

K,  Hen,  If,  Duke  of  Burgundy,  you  would  the 
peace. 
Whose  want  gives  growth  to  the  imperfections 
Which  you  have  cited,  you  must  buy  that  peace       70 
With  full  accord  to  all  our  just  demands ; 
Whose  tenours  and  particular  effects 
You  have  enscheduled  briefly  in  your  hands. 

Bur,  The  king  hath  heard  them ;  to  the  which 
as  yet 
There  is  no  answer  made. 

K,  Hen,  Well  then  the  peace, 

Which  you  before  so  urged,  lies  in  his  answer. 

Fr,  King,  I  have  but  with  a  cursorary  eye 
O'erglanced  the  articles  :  pleaseth  your^race 
To  appoint  some  of  your  council  presently 
To  sit  with  us  once  more,  with  better  heed  s© 

To  re-survey  them,  we  will  suddenly 
Pass  our  accept  and  peremptory  answer. 

K,  Hen,  Brother,  we  shall     Go,  uncle  Exeter, 

61.  defused,  disordered.  the     French     king     does     not 

63.  reduce,  bring  back.  guarantee  that  he  will  accept 

81.  suddenly,  promptly.  die  articles,  merely  that  he  will 

83.    Pass    our    accept    and  give  a  definite  decision.     Hence 

peremptory  answer,    (probably)  Mr.  W.  A.  Wright's  proposal 

give  Uie  answer  upon  which  we  to  tmderstand  '  accept'  as  a  par- 

definitely    and     finally    agree.  ticiple,  —  ('the    answer   which 

'  Accept '   has   conmionly  been  we  have  accepted  as  decisive ') 

understood    '  acceptance ' ;   but  is  pr^erable. 

130 


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sc.  II  King  Henry  the  Fifth 

And   tMTOther   Clarence,  and  you,  brother  Glou- 
cester, 
Warwick  and  Huntingdon,  go  with  the  king ; 
And  take  with  you  free  power  to  ratify, 
Augment,  or  alter,  as  your  wisdoms  best 
Shall  see  advantageable  for  our  dignity. 
Any  thing  in  or  out  of  our  demands, 
And  we  11  consign  thereto.     Will  you,  fair  sister,      90 
Go  with  the  princes,  or  stay  here  with  us  ? 

Q,  Isa,  Our  gracious  brother,   I  will  go  with 
them: 
Haply  a  woman's  voice  may  do  some  good, 
When  articles  too  nicely  urged  be  stood  on. 

K.  Men,  Yet  leave  our  cousin  Katharine  here 
with  us : 
She  is  our  capital  demand,  comprised 
Within  the  fore-rank  of  our  articles. 

Q.  Isa,  She  hath  good  leave. 

[Exeunt  all  except  Henry ^  Kathariney 

and  Alice, 

K.  Hen,  Fair  Katharine,  and  most  fair. 

Will  you  vouchsafe  to  teach  a  soldier  terms 
Such  as  will  enter  at  a  lady's  ear  100 

And  i^ead  his  love-suit  to  her  gentle  heart  ? 

Kath,  Your  majesty  shall  mock  at  me ;  I  can- 
not speak  your  England. 

K,  Hen,  O  fair  Katharine,  if  you  will  love 
me  soundly  with  your  French  heart,  I  will  be 
glad  to  hear  you  confess  it  brokenly  with  your 
English  tongue.     Do  you  like  me,  Kate  ? 

Kath.  Pardonnez-moi,  I  cannot  tell  vat  is 
'Hkeme.' 

K,  Hen,  An  angel  is  like  you,  Kate,  and  you  no 
are  like  an  angel. 

90.  consign  thtreto,    confirm  94.  too  nicely »  with  trivial  and 

it  with  our  seaL  captious  arguments. 


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King  Henry  the  Fifth        act  v 

Kath,  Que  dit-il?  que  je  suis  semblable  k  les 
anges  ? 

Alice,  Oui,   vraiment,    sauf  votre   grace,   ainsi 
dit-il. 

K,   Hen,  I  said   so,    dear   Katharine;  and   I 
must  not  blush  to  affirm  it 

Kath,  O  bon  Dieu !  les  langues  des  hommes 
sont  pleines  de  tromperies. 

K,  Hen,  What  says  she,   fair  one?  that   the  lao 
tongues  of  men  are  full  of  deceits  ? 

Alice,  Oui,  dat  de  tongues  of  de  mans  is  be 
full  of  deceits :  dat  is  de  princess. 

K,  Hen,  The  princess  is  the  better  EngHsh- 
woman.  I'  faith,  Kate,  my  wooing  is  fit  for  thy 
understanding:  I  am  glad  thou  canst  speak  no 
better  English ;  for,  if  thou  couldst,  thou  wouldst 
find  me  such  a  plain  king  that  thou  wouldst  think 
I  had  sold  my  farm  to  buy  my  crown.  I  know 
no  ways  to  mince  it  in  love,  but  directly  to  say  130 
*  I  love  you  : '  then  if  you  urge  me  farther  than  to 
say  *  do  you  in  faith  ? '  I  wear  out  my  suit.  Give 
me  your  answer ;  i'  faith,  do :  and  so  clap  hands 
and  a  bargain :  how  say  you,  lady  ? 

Kath,    Sauf    votre    honneur,    me    understand 
veil. 

K,  Hen,  Marry,  if  you  would  put  me  to  verses 
or  to  dance  for  your  sake,  Kate,  why,  you  undid 
me :  for  the  one,  I  have  neither  words  nor  mea- 
sure, and  for  the  other,  I  have  no  strength  in  140 
measure,  yet  a  reasonable  measure  in  strength. 
If  I  could  win  a  lady  at  leap-frog,  or  by  vaulting 
into  my   saddle  with  my  armour  on  my  back, 

123.  dat  is  de  princess  :  ^t^^  138.  «»^»V,  would  undo, 

ably  incomplete.     Alice  may  be 

supposed  to  wish  to  qualify  the  141.  measure  is  played  upon 

candour  of  the  sentiment,  when  in  three  senses :  (z)  metre  ;  (2) 

the  king  cuts  her  short  a  stately  dance ;  (3)  amount. 

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8c.  II  King  Henry  the  Fifth 

under  the  correction  of  bragging  be  it  spoken,  I 
should  quickly  leap  into  a  wife.  Or  if  I  might 
buffet  for  my  love,  or  bound  my  horse  for  her 
favours,  I  could  lay  on  like  a  butcher  and  sit  like 
a  jack-a-napes,  never  off.  But,  before  God,  Kate, 
I  cannot  look  greenly  nor  gasp  out  my  eloquence, 
nor  I  have  no  cunning  in  protestation ;  only  down-  150 
right  oaths,  which  I  never  use  till  urged,  nor 
never  break  for  urging.  If  thou  canst  love  a 
fellow  of  this  temper,  Kate,  whose  face  is  not 
worth  sun-burning,  that  never  looks  in  his  glass 
for  love  of  any  thing  he  sees  there,  let  thine  eye 
be  thy  cook.  I  speak  to  thee  plain  soldier:  if 
thou  canst  love  me  for  this,  take  me;  if  not,  to 
say  to  thee  that  I  shall  die,  is  true;  but  for  thy 
love,  by  the  Lord,  no ;  yet  I  love  thee  too.  And 
while  thou  livest,  dear  Elate,  take  a  fellow  of  160 
plain  and  uncoined  constancy;  for  he  perforce 
must  do  thee  right,  because  he  hath  not  the  gift 
to  woo  in  other  places:  for  these  fellows  of  in- 
finite tongue,  that  can  rhyme  themselves  into 
ladies'  favours,  they  do  always  reason  themselves 
out  again.  What!  a  speaker  is  but  a  prater;  a 
rhyme  is  but  a  ballad.  A  good  leg  will  fall;  a 
straight  back  will  stoop;  a  black  beard  will  turn 
white;  a  curled  pate  will  grow  bald;  a  fair  face 
will  wither ;  a  full  eye  will  wax  hollow :  but  a  good  170 
heart,  Kate,  is  the  sun  and  the  moon ;  or  rather 
the  sun  and  not  the  moon;  for  it  shines  bright 
and  never  changes,  but  keeps  his  course  truly. 
If  thou  would  have  such  a  one,  take  me;  and 

146.  buffet,  box.  constancy,    one  whose    love   is 

.,        .        ,    ,         ,.  ,  constant  because  like  a  plain,  un- 

lb.     i^^«^.   leap  (..^.  make  stamped  coin  it  is  not 'current/ 

leap;.  ^^    readily  transferred  to  new 

160.0/  plain  and  uncoined  objects. 


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King  Henry  the  Fifth         actv 

take  me,  take  a  soldier;  take  a  soldier,  take  a 
king.  And  what  sayest  thou  then  to  my  love? 
speak,  my  fair,  and  ^ly,  I  pray  thee. 

Kath,  Is  it  possible  dat  I  sould  love  de  enemy 
of  France  ? 

K.  Hen.  No;  it  is  not  possible  you  should  iSd 
love  the  enemy  of  France,  Kate:  but,  in  loving 
me,  you  should  love  the  friend  of  France ;  for  I 
love  France  so  well  that  I  will  not  part  with  a 
village  of  it ;  I  will  have  it  all  mine :  and,  Kate, 
when  France  is  mine  and  I  am  yours,  then  yours 
is  France  and  you  are  mine. 

Kath.  I  cannot  tell  vat  is  dat. 

K.  Hen.  No,  Kate?  I  will  tell  thee  in  French; 
which  I  am  sure  will  hang  upon  my  tongue  like 
a  new -married  wife  about  her  husband's  neck,  190 
hardly  to  be  shook  off.  Je  quand  sur  le  posses- 
sion de  France,  et  quand  vous  avez  le  possession 
de  moi, — let  me  see,  what  then  ?  Saint  Denis  be 
my  speed ! — done  votre  est  France  et  vous  dtes 
mienne.  It  is  as  easy  for  me,  Kate,  to  conquer 
the  kingdom  as  to  speak  so  much  more  French : 
I  shall  never  move  thee  in  French,  unless  it  be  to 
laugh  at  me. 

Kath,  Sauf  votre   honneur,    le    Fran9ois    que 
vous  parlez,  il  est  meilleur  que  TAnglois  lequel  aoo 
je  parle. 

K.  Hen.  No,  faith,  is*t  not,  Kate:  but  thy 
speaking  of  my  tongue,  and  I  thine,  most  truly- 
falsely,  must  needs  be  granted  to  be  much  at 
one.  But,  Kate,  dost  thou  understand  thus  much 
English,  canst  thou  love  me  ? 

Kath,  I  cannot  tell. 

K,  Hen,  Can  any  of  your  neighbours  tell, 
Kate?     I'll    ask    them.     Come,    I    know   thou 

204.  much  at  onCt  much  alike. 


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sc.  u 


King  Henry  the  Fifth 


lovest  me :  and  at  night,  when  you  come  into  aio 
your  closet,  you'll  question  this  gentlewoman 
about  me;  and  I  know,  Kate,  you  will  to  her 
dispraise  those  parts  in  me  that  you  love  with 
your  heart :  but,  good  Kate,  mock  me  mercifully ; 
the  rather,  gentle  princess,  because  I  love  thee 
cruelly.  If  ever  thou  beest  mine,  Kate,  as  I  have 
a  saving  faith  within  me  tells  me  thou  shalt,  I 
get  thee  with  scambling,  and  thou  must  therefore 
needs  prove  a  good  soldier-br^der :  shall  not  thou 
and  I,  between  Saint  Denis  and  Saint  George,  aso 
compound  a  boy,  half  French,  half  English,  that 
shall  go  to  Constantinople  and  take  the  Turk  by 
the  beard?  shall  we  not?  what  sayest  thou,  my 
fair  flower-de-luce  ? 

Kath,  I  do  not  know  dat. 

K.  Hen,  No;  'tis  hereafter  to  know,  but  now 
to  promise :  do  but  now  promise,  Kate,  you  will 
endeavour  for  your  French  part  of  such  a  boy; 
and  for  my  English  moiety  take  the  word  of  a 
king  and  a  bachelor.  How  answer  you,  la  plus  930 
belle  Katharine  du  monde,  mon  trbs  cher  et  devin 
d^esse? 

Kath.  Your  majestee  ave  fausse  French 
enough  to  deceive  de  most  sage  demoiselle  dat 
is  in  France. 

K.  Hen.  Now,  fie  upon  my  false  French! 
By  mine  honour,  in  true  English,  I  love  thee, 
Kate:  by  which  honour  I  dare  not  swear  thou 
lovest  me;  yet  my  blood  begins  to  flatter  me 
that   thou   dost,   notwithstanding   the    poor  and  340 

3i8.  scambling,  fighting.  the  project  of  the  Emperor  Sigis- 
321-333.  An  unconsciously  mund,  who  visited  Henry  in 
ironical  reference  to  Henry's  England,  with  a  view  to  a  Euro- 
actual  successor,  of  whom  no  pean  alliance  against  the  Turk, 
such  exploit  is  recorded.  But  Shakespeare  could  have  read 
there  may  be  also  an  alluskm  to  this  in  Halle. 


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King  Henry  the  Fifth         actv 

untempering  effect  of  my  visage.  Now,  be- 
shrew  my  father's  ambition!  he  was  thinking  of 
civil  wars  when  he  got  me:  therefore  was  I 
created  with  a  stubborn  outside,  with  an  aspect 
of  iron,  that,  when  I  come  to  woo  ladies,  I 
fright  them.  But,  in  faith,  Kate,  the  elder  I 
wax,  the  better  I  shall  appear:  my  comfort  is, 
that  old  age,  that  ill  layer  up  of  beauty,  can  do 
no  more  spoil  upon  my  face:  thou  hast  me,  if 
thou  hast  me,  at  the  worst ;  and  thou  shalt  wear  350 
me,  if  thou  wear  me,  better  and  better :  and 
therefore  tell  me,  most  fair  Katharine,  will  you 
have  me  ?  Put  off  your  maiden  blushes ;  avouch 
the  thoughts  of  your  heart  with  the  looks  of  an 
empress ;  take  me  by  the  hand,  and  say  *  Harry 
of  England,  I  am  thine : '  which  word  thou  shalt 
no  sooner  bless  mine  ear  withal,  but  I  will  tell 
thee  aloud  'England  is  thine,  Ireland  is  thine, 
France  is  thine,  and  Henry  Plantagenet  is  thine ; ' 
who,  though  I  speak  it  before  his  face,  if  he  be  360 
not  fellow  with  the  best  king,  thou  shalt  find  the 
best  king  of  good  fellows.  Come,  your  answer 
in  broken  music ;  for  thy  voice  is  music  and  thy 
English  broken;  therefore,  queen  of  all,  Katha- 
rine, break  thy  mind  to  me  in  broken  English ; 
wilt  thou  have  me  ? 

Kath,  Dat  is  as  it  sail  please  de  roi  mon  p^re. 

K,  Hen,  Nay,  it  will  please  him  well,  Kate; 
it  shall  please  him,  Kate. 

241.  «/;t/m^rx'»^,unsoftening.  made  in   sets   of   four,   which 

263.  broken  music.    Chappell  when  played  together  formed  a 

gives    the    most    authoritative  "consort."     If  one  or  more  of 

explanation  of  this  phrase,  thrice  the  instruments  of  one  set  were 

used  by  Shakespeare,  in  a  com-  substituted  for  the  corresponding. 

munication  to  Mr.  W.A.Wright:  ones  of  another  set,  the  result 

'Some    instruments,    such    as  was  no  longer  a  "  consort "  but 

viols,  flutes,  etc.,  were  formerly  "  broken  music."  ' 
136 


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sc.  II  King*  Henry  the  Fifth 

KcUh,  Den  it  sail  also  content  me.  270 

K,  Hen.  Upon  that  I  kiss  your  hand,  and  I 
call  you  my  queen, 

Kath,  Laissez,  moil  seigneur,  laissez,  laissez: 
ma  foi,  je  ne  veux  point  que  vous  ababsiez  votre 
grandeur  en  baisant  la  main  d'une  de  votre  sei- 
gneurie  indigne  serviteur;  excusez-moi,  je  vous 
supplie,  mon  tr^s-puissant  seigneur. 

K,  Hen,  Then  I  will  kiss  your  lips,  Kate. 

Kath,  Les    dames    et    demoiselles    pour  6tre 
bais^es  devant  leur  noces,  il  n'est  pas  la  coutume  aSo 
de  France. 

K,  Hen*  Madam  my  interpreter,  what  says 
she? 

Alice.  Dat  it  is  not  be  de  fashion  pour  les 
ladies  of  France, — I  cannot  tell  vat  is  baiser  en 
Anglish. 

K,  Hen,  To  kiss. 

Alice.  Your  majesty  entendre  bettre  que  moi. 

K,  Hen,  It  is  not  a  fashion  for  the  maids  in 
France   to  kiss  before  they  are  married,   would  290 
she  say  ? 

Alice,  Oui,  vraiment. 

K,  Hen,  O  Kate,  nice  customs  curtsy  to 
great  kings.  Dear  Kate,  you  and  I  cannot  be 
confined  within  the  weak  list  of  a  country's 
fashion:  we  are  the  makers  of  manners,  Kate; 
and  the  liberty  that  follows  our  places  stops  the 
mouth  of  all  find-faults ;  as  I  will  do  yours,  for 
upholding  the  nice  fashion  of  your  country  in 
denying  me  a  kiss :  therefore,  patiently  and  300 
yielding.  [Kissing  her,"]  You  have  witchcraft 
in  your  lips,  Kate :  there  is  more  eloquence  in  a 
sugar  touch  of  them  than  in  the  tongues  of  the 
French  council ;  and  they  should  sooner  persuade 

395.  list,  barrier,  limit. 


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King  Henry  the  Fifth 


ACT  y 


Harry  of  England   than   a  general    petition   of 
monarchs.     Here  comes  your  father. 

Re-enter  the  French  King  and  his  Queen, 
Burgundy,  and  other  Lords. 

Bur,  God  save  your  majesty  I  my  royal  cousin, 
teach  you  our  princess  English  ? 

K,   Hen,    I   would   have   her  learn,   my   fair 
cousin,   how  perfectly  I    love   her ;    and  that  is  310 
good  English. 

Bur,  Is  she  not  apt  ? 

K,  Hen,  Our  tongue  is  rough,  coz,  and  my 
condition  is  not  smooth;  so  that,  having  neither 
the  voice  nor  the  heart  of  flattery  about  me,  I 
cannot  so  conjure  up  the  spirit  of  love  in  her, 
that  he  will  appear  in  his  true  likeness. 

Bur,  Pardon  the  frankness  of  my  mirth  if  I 
answer  you  for  that  If  you  would  conjure  in 
her,  you  must  make  a  circle ;  if  conjure  up  love  320 
in  her  in  his  true  likeness,  he  must  appear  naked 
and  blind.  Can  you  blame  her  then,  being  a 
maid  yet  rosed  over  with  the  virgin  crimson  of 
modesty,  if  she  deny  the  appearance  of  a  naked 
blind  boy  in  her  naked  seeing  self?  It  were,  my 
lord,  a  hard  condition  for  a  maid  to  consign  to. 

K,  Hen,  Yet  they  do  wink  and  yield,  as  love 
is  blind  and  enforces. 

Bur,  They  are  then  excused,  my  lord,  when 
they  see  not  what  they  do.  330 

K,  Hen,  Then,  good  my  lord,  teach  your 
cousin  to  consent  winking. 

Bur,  I  will  wink  on  her  to  consent,  my  lord, 
if  you  will  teach  her  to  know  my  meaning :  for 
maids,   well  summered  and  warm  kept,  are  like 

314.  condition,  dispodtion.  337.  vnnkt  close  their  eyes. 

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sc.  II  King  Henry  the  Fifth 

flies  at  Bartholomew-tide,  blind,  though  they  have 
their  eyes;  and  then  they  will  endure  handling, 
which  before  would  not  abide  looking  on. 

K.  Hen,  This  moral  ties  me  over  to  time  and 
a  hot  summer ;  and  so  I  shall  catch  the  fly,  your  340 
cousin,  in  the  latter  end  and  she  must  be  blind 
too. 

Bur,  As  love  is,  my  lord,  before  it  loves. 

K,  Hen,  It  is  so :  and  you  may,  some  of  you, 
thank  love  for  my  blindness,  who  cannot  see 
many  a  fair  French  city  for  one  fair  French  maid 
that  stands  in  my  way. 

Fr,  King,  Yes,  my  lord,  you  see  them  per- 
spectively,  the  cities  turned  into  a  maid ;  for  they 
are  all  girdled  with  maiden  walls  that  war  hath 
never  entered.  3so 

K,  Hen,  Shall  Kate  be  my  wife  ? 

Fr,  King,  So  please  you. 

K,  Hen,  I  am  content;  so  the  maiden  cities 
you  talk  of  may  wait  on  her :  so  the  maid  that 
stood  in  the  way  for  my  wish  shall  show  me  the 
way  to  my  will 

Fr,  King,  We  have  consented  to  all  terms  of 
reason. 

K,  Hen,  Is 't  so,  my  lords  of  England  ? 
West,  The  king  hath  granted  every  article :         360 
His  daughter  first,  and  then  in  sequel  all. 
According  to  their  firm  proposed  natures. 

Exe.  Only  he  hath  not  yet  subscribed  this : 
Where  your  majesty  demands,  that  the  King  of 
France,  having  any  occasion  to  write  for  matter 
of  grant,  shall  name  your  highness  in  this  form 
and  with  this  addition,  in  French,  Notre  tr^s- 
cher   fils   Henri,    Roi   d'Angleterre,   H^ritier   de 

347.    perspectively,   as   in  a  '  perspective,'  or  glass  producing 
optical  ilhuion. 


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King  Henry  the  Fifth         acty 

France;  and  thus  in  Latin,  Prseclarissimus  filius 
noster  Henricus,  Rex  Anglise,  et  Hseres  Francise.    370 

Fr,  King,  Nor  this  I  have  not,  brother,  so  denied, 
But  your  request  shall  make  me  let  it  pass. 

K,  Hen.   I  pray  you  then,  in  love  and  dear 
alliance, 
Let  that  one  article  rank  with  the  rest ; 
And  thereupon  give  me  your  daughter. 

Fr,  King,  Take  hier,   fair  son,  and  from  her 
blood  raise  up 
Issue  to  me ;  that  the  contending  kingdoms 
Of  France  and  England,  whose  very  shores  look 

pale 
With  envy  of  each  other's  happiness. 
May  cease  their  hatred,  and  this  dear  conjunction  380 
Plant  neighbourhood  and  Christian-like  accord 
In  their  sweet  bosoms,  that  never  war  advance 
His  bleeding  sword  'twixt  England  and  fair  France. 
AIL  Amen ! 

K  Hen,    Now,  welcome,  Kate:   and  bear  me 
witness  all. 
That  here  I  kiss  her  as  my  sovereign  queen. 

\Flourish, 
Q,  Isa,  God,  the  best  maker  of  all  marriages, 
Combine  your  hearts  in  one,  your  realms  in  one  ! 
As  man  and  wife,  being  two,  are  one  in  love. 
So  be  there  'twixt  your  kingdoms  such  a  spousal,     390 
That  never  may  ill  office,  or  fell  jealousy. 
Which  troubles  oft  the  bed  of  blessed  marriage. 
Thrust  in  between  the  paction  of  these  kingdoms, 
To  make  divorce  of  their  incorporate  league ; 
That  English  may  as  French,  French  Englishmen, 
Receive  each  other.     God  speak  this  Amen  I 

369.  PrtBclarissimus.    Shake-      naturally     having     *  praecaris- 
speare    took    this    word    from      simus.' 
Holinshed,   the  original  treaty  393.  paction,  compact. 

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EPiL.  King  Henry  the  Fifth 

AIL  Amen! 

K.  Hen.  Prepare  we  for  our  marriage :  on  which 
day, 
My  Lord  of  Burgundy,  we  11  take  your  oath. 
And  all  the  peers',  for  surety  of  our  leagues.  400 

Then  shall  I  swear  to  Kate,  and  you  to  me ; 
And  may  our  oaths  well  kept  and  prosperous  be ! 

\Sennit     Exeunt 


EPILOGUK 

Enter  Chorus 

Chor.  Thus  far,  with  rough  and  all-unable  pen. 

Our  bending  author  hath  pursued  the  story, 
In  little  room  confining  mighty  men, 

Mangling  by  starts  the  full  course  of  their  glory. 
Small  time,  but  in  that  small  most  greatly  lived 

This  star  of  England  :  Fortune  made  his  sword ; 
By  which  the  world's  best  garden  he  achieved. 

And  of  it  left  his  son  imperial  lord. 
Henry  the  Sbcth,  in  infant  bands  crown'd  King 

Of  France  and  England,  did  this  king  succeed ;   10 
Whose  state  so  many  had  the  managing, 

That  they  lost  France  and  made  his  England 
bleed : 
Which  oft  our  stage  hath  shown;  and,  for  their 

sake. 
In  your  fair  minds  let  this  acceptance  take. 

\Exit 

2.    bending,  i.e.    under    the     continuity,  involved  in  the  scenic 
weight  of  his  task.  method  of  drama. 

4.  by  starts,  i.e.  by  breaks  of 


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THE  FAMOUS  HISTORY  OF  THE  LIFE  OF 

KING   HENRY  THE   EIGHTH 


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DRAMATIS  PERSONiE 

King  Henry  the  Eighth. 

Cardinal  Wolsey. 

Cardinal  Campeius. 

Capucius,  Ambassador  from  the  Emperor  Charles  V. 

Cranmer,  Archbishop  of  Canterbury. 

Duke  of  Norfolk. 

Duke  of  Buckingham. 

Duke  of  Suffolk. 

Earl  of  Surrey. 

Lord  Chamberlain. 

Lord  Chancellor. 

Gardiner,  Bishop  of  Winchester. 

Bishop  of  Lincoln. 

Lord  Abergavenny. 

Lord  Sands. 

Sir  Henry  Guildford. 

Sir  Thomas  Lovell. 

Sir  Anthony  Denny. 

Sir  Nicholas  Vaux. 

Secretaries  to  Wolsey. 

Cromwell,  Servant  to  Wolsey. 

Griffith,  Gentleman-usher  to  Queen  Katharine. 

Three  Gentlemen. 

Doctor  Butts,  Physician  to  the  King. 

Garter  King-at-Arms. 

Surveyor  to  the  Dukcof  Buckingham. 

Brandon,  and  a  Sergeant-at-Arms. 

Door-keeper  of  the  Council-chamber.     Porter,  and  his  Man. 

Page  to  Gardiner.     A  Crier. 

Queen  Katharine,  wife  to  King  Henry,  afterwards  divorced. 
Anne  Bullen,  her  Maid  of  Honour,  afterwards  Queen. 
An  old  Lady,  friend  to  Anne  Bullen. 
Patience,  woman  to  Queen  Katharine. 

Several  Lords  and  Ladies  in  the  Dtunb  Shows ;  Women  at- 
tending upon  the  Queen ;  Scribes,  Officers,  Guards,  and 
other  Attendants. 

Spirits. 

Scene  :  London ;  Westminster;  KimboWm, 
VOL.  VII  145  L 


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King  Henry  the  Eighth 

Duration  op  Time 

I.  Dramatic  Time. — Seven  days  represented  on  the  stage, 
with  indeterminable  intervals. 

Day  I.  I.  I. -4. 

IntervaL 
,,    2.  II.  I. -3. 

..  3.  n.  4. 

„    4.  III.  I. 

IntervaL 

,.  5.  in.  a. 

Interval. 
„    6.   IV.  I.,  2. 

Interval. 
..    7.  V.  i.-s. 

II.  Historic  Ttme. — From  June  1520  to  September  1533 
(tlie  christening  of  Elizabeth).  But  two  later  events  are 
included,  the  death  of  Katharine,  January  1536,  and  the 
summons  of  Cranmer  before  the  Council,  in  1544.  The 
following  table  (from  Daniel's  Time  Analysis,  p.  346)  gives 
the  historic  dates,  arranged  in  the  order  of  the  play :  - 

1520,  June.— Field  of  the  Cloth  of  Gold 
1522,  Mar. — ^War  declared  with  France 

,,     May-July. — ^Visit  of  the  Emperor  to  the  English  Court. 

1 52 1,  April  16. — Buckingham  brought  to  the  Tower. 
1527. — Henry  becomes  acquainted  with  Ann  BuUen 

1 52 1,  May. — Arraignment    and     execution    (May    17)    of 
Buckingham. 

1527,  Aug. — Commencement  of  proceedings  for  divorce. 

1528,  Oct. — Campeius  arrives  in  London. 

1532,  Sept. — ^Ann  Bullen  created  Marchioness  of  Pembroke. 

1529,  May. — Assembly  of  Court  at  ^lackfriars. 
1529-33. — Cranmer  abroad  working  for  the  divorce. 

1533,  Jan. — Marriage  of  Henry  with  Ann  Bullen. 

1529,  Oct. — Wolsey  deprived  of  the  Great  SeaL 
,,      Oct  25. — More  chosen  Lord  Chancellor. 

1533,  Mar.  30. — Cranmer,  Archbishop  of  Canterbury. 
,,      May  23. — Marriage  with  Katharine  declared  nulL 

1530,  Nov.  29. — Death  of  Wolsey. 
1533,  June  I. — Coronation  of  Ann. 
1536,  June. — Death  of  Katharine. 
1533,  Sept  7. — Birth  of  Elizabeth. 

1544. — Cranmer  called  before  the  Council. 
1533,  Sept — Christening  of  Elizabeth. 


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INTRODUCTION 

The  Famous  History  of  the  Life  of  Henry  VHI,  Early 
was  first  published  in  the  Folio  of  1623.  The  text  }^^^, 
is  unusually  accurate,  and  was  printed  from  a  MS. 
prepared  with  equally  unusual  care  for  the  press. 
As  became  a  drama  in  which  ceremony  plays  so 
large  a  part,  the  stage  directions  are  full  and  ac- 
curate. In  two  of  them  (the  coronation-scene,  iv.  i., 
and  the  baptism,  v.  5.)  the  elaborate  and  precise 
historical  realism  of  the  modem  stage  seems  to  be 
more  nearly  anticipated  than  in  any  other  play  of 
Shakespeare's  time.  The  costly  and  magnificent 
masques  of  Whitehall  had  stimulated  kindred  tend- 
encies in  the  regular  drama;  and  the  Globe  Company 
now  controlled  stage -resources  very  different  from 
the  *  four  or  five  most  vile  and  ragged  foils '  that  had 
done  duty  for  Agincourt  in  its  early  days.  The 
spectacular  elaboration  of  Henry  VIIL  was,  how- 
ever, evidently  extraordinary  and  unprecedented.  It 
involved,  iniidentally,  the  destruction  of  the  first 
Globe  Theatre. 

On  June  29,  1613,  the  Globe  was  burnt  down  DateofCom- 
during  the  performance  of  a  play  which  a  series  of  p°^"***°* 
contemporary  descriptions  enable  us  with  practical 
certainty  to  identify  as  Henry    VHL      The   most 
salient  of  these  are  as  follows : — 

(i)  A  MS.  letter  Jrom  Thomas  Lorkin,  dated  *  this 

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King  Henry  the  Eighth 

last  of  June'  1613,  relates:  *No  longer  since  than 
yesterday,  while  Bourbege  his  companie  were  acting 
at  the  Globe  the  play  of  Hen.  8,  and  there  shoot- 
ing of  certain  chambers  in  way  of  triumph ;  the  fire 
catch'd  and  fastened  upon  the  thatch  of  the  house 
and  there  bum'd  so  furiously  as  it  consumed  the 
whole  house  and  all  in  less  than  two  hours  (the 
people  having  enough  to  do  to  save  themselves).' 

(ii)  Sir  Henry  Wotton,  writing  to  his  nephew  on 
July  2,  gives  a  more  detailed  account  of  the  fire 
and  adds  important  particulars  of  the  play.  *The 
king's  players  had  a  new  play,  called  All  is  21rue,  re- 
presenting some  principal  pieces  of  the  reign  of 
Henry  the  Eighth,  which  was  set  forth  with  many 
extraordinary  circumstances  of  pomp  and  majesty, 
even  to  the  matting  of  the  stage ;  the  Knights  of  the 
Order,  with  their  Georges  and  Garter,  the  guards  with 
their  embroidered  coats,  and  the  like;  sufficient  in 
truth  within  a  while  to  make  greatness  very  familiar 
if  not  ridiculous.  Now  King  Henry,  making  a  mask 
at  the  Cardinal  Wolsey's  House,  and  certain  cannons 
being  shot  oflf  at  his  entry,  some  of  the  paper,  or 
other  stuff,  wherewith  one  of  them  was  stopped,  did 
light  on  the  thatch,'  eta 

(iii)  A  third  allusion,  in  a  letter  from  John 
Chamberlain  to  Ralph  Winwood,  July  12,  16 13, 
simply  confirms  these  reports.  But  the  mention  of 
the  event  by  Howes,  the  continuator  of  Stowe's  Chronicle 
(161 5),  adds  an  important  detail  *  The  house,'  he 
writes,  *  being  filled  with  people  to  behold  the  play, 
viz.  Henry  the  8.' 

In  June  16 13,  then,  a  play  variously  known  as 
Henry  VIII,  and  All  is  True,  and  corresponding 
in  every  particular,  so  far  as  described,  to  the  Henry 
VIII  afterwards  published  by  Shakespeare's  Company, 
was  acted,  as  a  new  piece,  by  that  company,  on  their 
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Introduction 

own  stage.  The  inclusion  of  the  play  in  the  Folio 
must  be  held  to  prove  that  Shakespeare  had  at  least 
some  connexion  with  it ;  its  qualities  of  metre  and 
style  forbid  us  to  place  that  connexion  earlier  than 
1610.  To  hold  that  Shakespeare's  Company,  having 
a  Shakespearean  Henry  VIIL  in  their  repertory,  were 
acting,  some  two  years  later,  a  totally  distinct  Henry 
VHL  by  some  other  writer,  is  an  unwarrantable  viola- 
tion of  economy.  • 

The  groimck  hitherto  adduced  for  rejecting  the 
identification  are  extremely  slight.  A  contemporary 
ballad  on  the  fire  declares  that  '  the  riprobates  .  .  . 
prayed  for  the  Foole  and  Henrie  Condye,'  whereas 
there  is  no  Fool  in  Henry  VHL  But  the  Fool  may 
have  been  in  the  playhouse  (and  thus  in  need  of  the 
riprobates'  prayers)  without  being  in  the  play.  Mr. 
Fleay  relies  on  the  absence  of  the  title  All  is  Tlrue. 
But  the  Prologue,  with  its  reiterated  references  to 
'truth'  (cf  w.  9,  18,  21),  reads  like  an  expanded 
commentary  on  a  vanished  text^ 

The  date. 1 6 10- 1 2  is  now  therefore  generally 
accepted.^ 

The  Prologue  seems,  however,  to  have  had  a  more  The  Sources 

./<  1      .1.  ,  ,  /.        /.       .       of  the  Plot. 

specific  and  mihtant  purpose  than  that  of  enforcmg 
the  title.  It  conveys  a  thinly  veiled  allusion  to 
some  less  authentic  version  on  the  same  noble 
story;  and  warns  the  audience  that  any  who  took 
Henry  VHL  to  be  *  a  merry  bawdy  play,'  or  *  a  noise 
of  targets,'  or  'such  a  show  as  fool  and  fight  is,' 
—  *will  be    deceived.'^      The    Epilogue    similarly 

^  Boyle's    theory    that    our  v.  5.  5a  to  the  colonisation  of 

Henry  VI II,  was  written  as  late  Virginia  has  been   thought  to 

as  1617  depends  upon  the  hypo-  imply  the  date  1612,  when  the 

thesis  which  he  has  not  made  colony  received  a  constitution, 

plausible,  that  it  was  the  joint  But  cf.  note  on  the  passage, 
work  of  Massinger  and  Fletcher.  '  The    Prologue    has    been 

'  The  apparent  allusion  in  often  attributed  to  Jonson,  and 
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King  Henry  the  Eighth 

warns  off  tiaose  who  came  merely  '  to  hear  the 
City  abused  extremely.'  The  previous  dozen  years 
had  been  prolific  of  plays  upon  Henry's  reign: 
Chettle's  Cardinal  Wolsey ;  The  Rising  of  Cardinal 
JVolsey,  by  Munday,  Dra)rton,  and  Chettle,  1602  (both 
known  only  from  Henslowe's  Diary);  TAe  Chronicle 
His^)ry  of  Thomas  Lord  Cromwell  (printed  1602, 
1 6 13);  and  finally,  Rowley's  ChrofUde  History  of 
Henry  VHL  :  When  you  see  me  you  knew  me^  published 
in  1605,  and  no  doubt  identical  with  the  EnUrhide 
of  King  Henry  VHL  entered  (by  the  same  publisher, 
N.  Butter)  in  the  Sta.  Reg.  in  the  previous  Feb.  i2th.i 
There  is  little  doubt  that  the  writer  of  the  Prologue 
had  one  or  more  of  these  productions  in  view,  and 
the  phrases  above  quoted  fasten  with  peculiar  aptness 
upon  Rowley's  rollicking  travesty  of  history,  with  its 
*  bluff  King  Hal,'  its  unredeemed  Wolsey,  its  London 
ruffians  and  watchmen,  and  its  robust  Protestantism 
acting  as  a  solvent  upon  all  Catholic  virtue. 
Sources.  Whether  written  or  not  with  a  deliberate  design 
of  vindicating  history  from  these  dramatic  traducers, 
there  is  no  question  that  the  Shakespearean  Henry 
VHL  is  far  more  true  to  the  letter  of  history  than 
any  of  his  earlier  Histories.  No  other  preserves  so 
much  of  the  recorded  detail  of  history.  Its  speeches 
are  often  little  more  than  Holinshed  transcribed  in 
blank  verse ;  its  pageantries  punctiliously  reproduce 
his  detailed  and  picturesque  narrative.  Holinshed 
was  indeed  for  this  reign  unusually  full  and  imusually 
authentic.     It  lay  but  a  generation  behind  him,  and 

its  motive  undoubtedly  recalls  ^  Edited  by  K.  Elze  (1874). 
the  Jonsonian  habit  of  preparing  Elze  hdd  that  the  Shakespearean 
his  audience  'to  see  one  play  play  was  written  during  Eliza- 
to-day  as  other  plays  should  be. '  beth's  reign— with  subsequent 
But  the  schooling  is  conveyed  interpolation  of  the  allusions  to 
with  a  courtly  suavity  which  he  James.  This  is  absolutely  nega- 
did  not  affect.  tived  by  the  style. 


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Introduction 

he  was  able  to  weave  into  his  own  work  the  first-hand 
reports  of  contemporaries  like  Hall  and  Cavendish. 
It  is  true  that  his  sources  were  steeped  in  animus  of 
very  different  shades,  and  that  their  parti-coloured 
hues  give  a  composite  and  somewhat  indecisive  efiect 
to  his  presentment  of  men.  Holinshed's  Wolsey  is 
painted  for  the  most  part  with  the  angry  Protestant 
brush  of  Hall,  whose  Chronicle  was  suppressed  imder 
Mary;  but  we  detect  readily  enough  the  passagies 
transcribed  from  Wolsey's  faithful  usher  ^  (the  valet 
to  whom  he  was  sl  hero),  or  from  the  Jesuit  Campion's 
eulogy  upon  this  great  pre-Loyolan  member  of  his 
Order.  Nor  have  these  dissonances  been  by  any 
means  effaced  in  the  drama ;  indeed,  they  are  even 
heightened  by  the  addition  of  a  highly-coloured  Pro- 
testant patch  from  Yox^^^s  Acts  and  Monuments  {i$'j6) 
— the  Cranmer  scenes  in  Act  V. 

As  it  stands,  the  drama  presents  a  strange  mingling 
of  reticence  and  partisanship.  We  are  invited  to 
bestow  our  sympathies,  alternately,  on  different  sides, 
and  are  yet  denied  the  definite  information  needed 
for  judging,  or  even  knowing  how  the  dramatist 
judged,  between  them.  Critics,  according  to  their 
bent,  have  found  it  equally  easy  to  exhibit  the  play 
as  a  manifesto  of  the  new  faith  or  of  the  old — a 
celebration  of  Elizabeth  or  a  vindication  of  Katharine. 
Gervinus  es^lained  it  to  be  a  paean  to  the  House  of 
Tudor ;  it  may  quite  as  readily  be  represented  as  a 
satire  on  them.  Henry  is  tenderly,  even  obsequi- 
ously, handled;  we  see  him  as  the  magnanimous 
father  of  his  people,  intervening  to  remit  Wolsey's 
oppressive  taxation  (L  2.),  or  to  rescue  the  pious 

^  G.  Cavendish's  Life  of  Wol-  material  passed  into  Holinshed's 

seyvtos  still  in  MS.  ;  but  Stow  second  edition  (1587)  used  by 

had  transferred  its  substance  to  Shakespeare. 
It^&Annales  (1580),  whence  the 

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King  Henry  the  Eighth 

Cranmer  from  Gardiner's  spite  (v.  3.).  Yet  it  is  diffi- 
cult to  describe  as  an  *  apology '  for  Henry,  a  play 
which  draws  but  the  flimsiest  of  disguises  over  the 
sensual  motive  of  his  suit  for  divorce.  And  note  that 
the  dramatist  does  not  here  merely  follow  the  Chronicle; 
he  deliberately  antedates  Henry's  favours  to  Anne 
Boleyn,  so  as  to  emphasise  their  sinister  bearing  upon 
Katharine's  fate.  Thus  the  historical  date  of  her 
sudden  elevation  to  the  peerage  is  1532.  But  the 
scene  representing  this  (ii.  3.),  the  only  one  in  which 
she  can  be  said  to  appear,  is  placed  immediately 
before  the  scene  representing  the  trial  of  1529.  The 
king's  execrations  at  the  close  of  this  scene  upon  the 

*  dilatory  sloth  and  tricks '  of  Rome,  thus  acquire  a 
significance  not  apparent  in  Holinshed. 

A  similar  ambiguity  marks  the  portrayal  of  Buck- 
ingham, of  Wolsey,  of  Anne.  Was  Buckingham  the 
victim  of  Wolsey's  unscrupulous  policy  or  a  traitor 
whom  he  justly  brought  to  the  block  ?  History  pro- 
nounces against  him;  but  Holinshed,  without  expressly 
asserting  his  innocence,  speaks  bitterly  of  the  *  forged 
tales  and  contrived   surmises'  which  the  Cardinal 

*  daily  put  into  the  king's  head  ...  to  the  satis- 
fying of  his  cankered  and  malicious  stomach  * ;  and 
the  dramatist  (who  omits  this  passage)  holds  the 
balance  so  even  that  either  view  may  be  taken  with 
almost  equal  plausibility.  Each  has,  in  fact,  been 
assumed  as  obvious  by  modem  critics  of  insight.^  In 
Wolsey's  case  the  dramatist  has  not  so  much  held  the 
balance  between  two  views  as  enforced  them  with 
equal  vigour  in  succession.  The  psychological  hiatus 
between  the  churchman  of  boimdless  ambition  and 
the  saint  who  only  upon  his  overthrow  *  felt  himself, 

*  Thus  Krejrssig  speaks  ingham  is  condemned ;  while  Mr. 
( Vorles,  i.  361)  of  '  the  palpably  Boas  holds  that  his  summary  arrest 
false  evidence '  on  which  Buck-     *  is  proved  to  be  fully  justified.' 

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and  found  the  blessedness  of  being  little,'  is,  if  any- 
thing, somewhat  more  violent  than  in  Holinshed. 
On  the  most  favourable  view,  it  must  be  allowed  that 
the  fundamental  features  of  his  character  are  wholly 
suppressed  until  his  part  is  played  out — ^to  be  then 
suddenly  announced,  as  in  a  funeral  iloge^  by  the 
devoted  Griffith. 

Alone,  among  the  persons  of  the  drama,  the  noble 
and  pathetic  figure  of  Katharine  is  drawn  with  perfect 
harmony  and  precision,  and  here  the  eflfect  is  due  far 
less  to  any  imaginative  reconstruction  of  the  materials 
than  to  a  faithful  preservation  of  the  profuse  and 
animated  detail  they  supplied.  It  was  not  Shake- 
speare's way  to  abandon  his  authorities  merely  for  the 
sake  of  asserting  his  originality,  so  long  as  they  gave 
him  what  he  wanted.  Julius  Casar  follows  Plutarch 
almost  as  closely  as  Henry  VIII,  follows  Holinshed. 
But  the  fidelity  of  Henry  VIIL  is  of  a  lower  kind 
than  that  of  Julius  Ccesar ;  it  is  more  literal  and 
less  imaginative ;  in  a  word,  less  Shakespearean. 

No  doubt  the  nature  of  the  subject  imposed 
enormous  difficulties  on  an  Elizabethan  dramatist. 
To  render  with  imaginative  sympathy  the  moving 
story  of  the  divorce,  and  yet  to  remember  that  the 
glory  of  his  own  time  had  flowered  from  that  malign 
plant,  was  to  be  under  a  continual  provocation  to 
the  conflict  of  interests  which  the  play,  as  we  see, 
has  not  escaped.  Regarded  near  by,  the  divorce  of 
Katharine  was  a  pitiftil  tragedy;  regarded  in  retro- 
spect it  seemed  big  with  the  destinies  of  England. 
Yet  the  earlier  Histories  had  presented  a  parallel 
difficulty  without  involving  a  parallel  failure.  The 
glories  of  Henry  V.  like  those  of  Elizabeth  were 
rooted  in  a  crime,  but  no  such  rent  yawns  across  the 
tragedy  of  Richard  II  as  that  which  so  fatally  divides 
Henry  VIII  against  itself.     After  making  all  allow- 


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ance  for  such  obstacles,  it  remains  true  that  the  total 
effect  of  the  drama  is  insignificant  in  proportion  to 
the  splendour  of  detail  and  the  superb  power  of 
single  scenes.  Nothing  more  damning  can  be  said 
of  any  play,  and  nothing  like  it  can  be  said  of  any 
play  which  is  wholly  Shakespeare's  work.  Henoe,  in 
point  simply  of  dramatic  quality,  the  play  justifies  a 
'  suspicion  that  it  is  not  entirely  Shakespeare's  work. 
Authorship.  That  suspicion  was,  however,  first  suggested  by  the 
more  palpable  evidence  of  siyU  and  metre.  Already, 
in  1758,  Roderick  called  attention  to  three  striking 
metrical  peculiarities  of  the  play,  viz.  (i)  the  frequency 
of  verses  ending  with  a  redundant  syllable;  (2)  the 
unusual  quality  of  the  ccesura  or  pause  within  the 
line ;  ^  (3)  the  frequent  clashing  of  sense-emphasis  and 
musical  cadence.^  For  him,  however,  these  remained 
merely  mysterious  vagaries  of  Shakespeare.  Nearly  a 
century  passed  before  the  idea  of  composite  authorship 
occurred  to  any  one  as  the  solution  of  the  anomaly, 
and  then,  as  commonly  happens  in  such  cases, 
it  occurred  to  several  minds  at  once — ^to  Emerson, 
Tennyson,  Hickson,  and  Spedding.  Acting  on  a 
hint  of  Tennyson's  to  the  effect  that  *  many  passages 
were  very  much  in  the  manner  of  Fletcher,'^  Spedding 
read  the  play  through  with  an  eye  to  this  especial 
point,  and  succeeded  in  demonstrating  beyond 
question  that  two  hands,  if  not  three,  were  con- 
cerned. This  division  of  the  play  between  them 
was  immediately  confirmed  in  every  detail  by  Hickson,* 

^  The  pause  after  two  em-  edition  of  Edwardes's  Canons  of 

phatic  monosyllables,  the  first  of  Criticism, 

which  bears  the  verse  stress,  is  ^  Gentleman' sMagaxine,iB^o\ 

common  within  the  line,  as  well  reprinted    in    New    Shafcespere 

as  at  the  end,  and  is  very  rare  Soc.  Transactions,  1874. 

in  Shakespeare.    E.g.  '  Remem-  ^  Notes  and  Queries,  Aug.  34, 

ber  your  bold   life  too,*  v.  2.  1850.    Also  reprinted  in  N,  Sh. 

85.  Soc.  TranscLctionSt  after   Sped- 

^  Notes  published  in  the  sixth  ding's  paper. 


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and  has  received  the  almost  unanimous  assent  of 
later  English  critics.  So  glaring,  indeed,  is  the  dis- 
tinction between  the  two  metrical  and  stylistic 
schemes  that  any  qualified  reader  who  appUes  it  may 
be  trusted  to  arrive,  within  narrow  limits  of  divergence, 
at  Spedding's  division  of  the  play.^  Spedding's  own 
vivid  analysis  of  the  two  styles,  as  seen  in  two  typical 
scenes  (I  i.  and  i.  3.),  can  hardly  be  improved 
The  former  scene  *  seemed  to  have  tiie  full  stamp  of 
Shakespeare  in  his  latest  manner;  the  same  close- 
packed  expression;  the  same  life,  and  reality,  and 
freshness;  the  same  rapid  and  abrupt  turnings  of 
thought,  so  quick  that  language  can  hardly  follow 
fast  enough ;  the  same  impatient  activity  of  intellect 
and  fancy,  which  having  once  disclosed  an  idea 
cannot  wait  to  work  it  orderly  out ;  the  same  daring 
confidence  in  the  resources  of  language,  which  plunges 
headlong  into  a  sentence  without  knowing  how  it  is 
to  come  forth  .  .  .  the  same  entire  freedom  from 
book  language  and  commonplace.  .  .  .  But  the 
instant  I  entered  upon  the  third  scene  ...  I  was 
conscious  of  a  total  change.  I  felt  as  if  I  had  passed 
suddenly  out  of  the  language  of  nature  into  the 
language  of  the  stage,  or  of  some  conventional  mode 
of  conversation.  .  .  .  The  expression  became  suddenly 
diffuse  and  languid.  The  wit  wanted  mirth  and 
character.'  Of  the  metrical  distinction  nothing 
better  has  been  said  than  Emerson's  remark  apropos 
of  the  Wolsey-Cromwell  scene  (iii.  2.) — that  while 

^  He  assigned  to  Shakespeare  Shakespeare's  part  as  i  in  3,  in 

the  ibUowiog  scenes  only: — i.  'Fletcher's'  as   i   in  1.7;   the 

X. ,  2. ,  ii.  3.,  iii.  2.  (to  the  exit  of  proportion  of  '  unstopped  Hdcs  ' 

the  king  only),  and  v.  i.     The  as  i  in  2.03  and  i  in  3.79.     Of 

application  of   the  well-known  '  light '    and    *  weak '    endings 

*  verse-tests '  by  Professor  Ingram  '  Shakespeare's '  1 1 46  verses 
in  1874  fiilly  confirmed  the  contain  82,  '  Fletcher's '  1467 
division ;      the    proportion    of  contain  8. 

*  double     endings '     being     in 


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King  Henry  the  Eighth 

Shakespeare's  secret  is  'that  the  thought  constructs 
the  tune,  so  that  reading  for  the  sense  best  brings 
out  the  rhythm, — ^here  the  lines  are  constructed  on  a 
given  tune.'  ^  To  these  differences  may  perhaps  be 
added  a  certain  divergence  from  Shakespeare's 
practice  in  the  use  of  prose  and  verse.  Thus  the 
blank  verse  conversation  of  the  two  gentlemen  in  il 
I.  1-50,  and  again  in  iv.  i.  1-36,  is  in  the  matter-of- 
fact  tone  for  which  Shakespeare  regularly  used  prose 
(cf.  V.  F.  Janssen,  Die  Prosa  in  Shakespeare s  Dramen^ 
p.  103). 

The  second  writer,  denoted  by  these  striking 
mannerisms,  Spedding,  like  Tennyson,  confidently 
identified  with  Fletcher,  the  most  mannered  of  all 
contemporary  dramatists.  More  recently  a  claim 
has  been  advanced  for'  Massinger — the  chosen  de- 
pository, in  our  time,  of  Shakespearean  work  not 
wholly  worthy  of  Shakespeare ;  but  on  indecisive 
grounds.^ 

It  remains  to  ask  how  the  play  came  to  be  thus 
divided  between  the  two  writers.  Spedding,  with  his 
unfailing  ingenuity,  supplied  an  elaborately  fanciful 
solution:  *I  should  rather  conjecture  that  [Shake- 
speare] had  conceived  the  idea  of  a  great  historical 
drama  on  the  subject  of  Henry  VIII.  which  would  have 
included  the  divorce  of  Katharine,  the  fall  of  Wolsey, 
the  rise  of  Cranmer,  the  coronation  of  Anne  BuUen, 
and  the  final  separation  of  the  English  from  the 
Roman  Church  .  .  .  that  he  had  proceeded  in  the 
execution  of  this  idea  as  far  perhaps  as  the  third  Act, 
which  might  have  included  the  establishment  of 
Cranmer  in  the  seat  of  highest  ecclesiastical  authority 
(the  council-chamber  scene  in  the  fifth  being  designed 

^  Representative  Men,  has  been  accepted  by  Mr.  Fleay 

•  Boyle,   in    Transactions  cf     (Life  and  Work  of  Shakespeare, 
N,  Sh,  Soc.   1885.     His  view     p.  250). 

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Introduction 

as  an  introduction  to  that);  when,  finding  that  his 
fello¥rs  of  the  Globe  were  in  distress  for  a  new  play 
to  honour  the  marriage  of  the  Lady  Elizabeth  with, 
he  thought  that  his  half-finished  work  might  help 
them,  and  accordingly  handed  them  his  manuscript 
to  make  what  they  could  of  it :  that  they  put  it  into 
the  hands  of  Fletcher  (already  in  high  repute  as  a 
popular  and  expeditious  playwright),  who  finding  the 
original  design  not  very  suitable  to  the  occasion,  and 
utterly  beyond  his  capacity,  expanded  the  three  acts 
into  five  by  interspersing  scenes  of  show  and  magni- 
ficence, and  passages  of  description,  and  long  poetical 
conversations,  in  which  his  strength  lay  .  .  .  and  so 
turned  out  a  splendid  "historical  masque  or  show- 
play."  '  It  is  hard  to  believe  that  Shakespeare,  so 
tenacious  of  his  rights  in  the  cummin  of  land  and  com, 
thus  easily  surrendered  his  interest  in  the  fruits  of  his 
genius.  If  Fletcher  completed  the  play,  we  may 
infer  pretty  confidently  that  Shakespeare  had  pre- 
viously abandoned  it  Whatever  the  explanation 
may  be  of  that  mysterious  withdrawal,  before  he  was 
fifty,  to  the  provincial  amenities  of  Stratford,  there  is 
little  doubt  that  his  life's  work  on  his  departure  was 
not  so  completely  rounded  off  as  the  Tempest  Epilogue 
tempts  us  to  imagine;  that  he  left  some  projects 
unfulfilled,  some  dramatic  schemes  half-wrought  It 
is  not  difficult  to  understand  how  Henry  VIIL  ^ould 
have  been  among  these.  The  pathetic  story  of 
Katharine,  so  vividly  told  by  Holinshed,  must  have 
been  familiar  to  him  from  boyhood ;  but  it  appealed 
with  a  new  fascination  to  the  recent  creator  of 
Hermione.  Unless  appearances  wholly  deceive,  he 
intended  to  blend  her  fortunes  in  the  same  drama 
with  those  of  Cranmer  and  the  Protestant  Reforma- 
tion (v.  I.).  Events  so  recent  and  familiar  could 
not  be  handled  with  the  freedom  of  a  tragic  myth 

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King  Henry  the  Eighth 

or  a  lawless  romance,  or  boldly  embroidered  with 
imaginary  character  and  incident  like  the  remote 
reign  of  King  John. 

The  task  of  bringing  these  two  conflicting  lines  of 
interest  and  sympathy  into  focus  was  not  insuper- 
able. But  it  may  well  hare  been  hard  enough,  with 
material  not  of  gossamer  romance  but  of  intractable 
history,  to  check  the  impetus  of  an  imagination 
¥^ch,  to  judge  by  even  the  finest  work  in  this 
drama,  had  already  lost  something  of  its  shaping 
power,  something  of  its  marvellous  mastery  of  soul- 
character.  The  fragment  was  abandoned,  and  passed, 
probably  in.  company  with  the  twin  fragment  of  Tike 
Two  Noble  Kinsmen^  into  the  hands  of  Shakespeare's 
brilHant  successor,  whose  facile  pen  and  lax  artistic  con- 
science lightly  dared  the  problem  which  Shakespeare 
had  declined,  piecing  out  the  interrupted  destinies  of 
his  persons  with  death-scenes  of  a  ready  and  fluent 
pathos,  but  contriving  to  lift  into  prominence  all  the 
lurking  weaknesses  of  the  plot  It  was  reserved  for 
Fletcher  to  render  Shakespeare's  work  fairly  liable  to 
Hertzberg's  summary  of  it  as  ^  a  chronicle -history 
I  with  three  and  a  half  catastrophes,  varied  by  a 
I  marriage  and  a  coronation-pageant,'  and  to  mingle 
j  the  memory  of  the  English  Hermione's  unavenged 
'  and  unrepented  wrongs  with  the  dazzling  coronation 
of  her  rival  and  exuberant  prophecies  over  the  cradle 
of  her  rival's  child. 


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THE  FAMOUS  HISTORY  OF  THE  LIFE  OF 

KING   HENRY  THE   EIGHTH 

THE  PROLOGUE. 

I  COME  no  more  to  make  you  laugh :  things  now, 

That  bear  a  weighty  and  a  serious  brow, 

Sad,  high,  and  working,  full  of  state  and  woe, 

Such  noble  scenes  as  draw  the  eye  to  flow. 

We  now  present.     Those  that  can  pity,  here 

May,  if  they  think  it  well,  let  fall  a  tear ; 

The  subject  will  deserve  it.     Such  as  give 

Their  money  out  of  hope  they  may  believe, 

May  here  find  truth  too.     Those  that  come  to  see 

Only  a  show  or  two,  and  so  agree  w 

The  play  may  pass,  if  they  be  still  and  willing, 

I  'U  undertake  may  see  away  their  shilling 

Richly  in  two  short  hours.     Only  they 

That  come  to  hear  a  merry  bawdy  play, 

A  noise  of  targets,  or  to  see  a  fellow 

In  a  long  motley  coat  guarded  with  yellow. 

Will  be  deceived ;  for,  gentle  hearers,  know, 

3.  working,  moving.  Elizabethan  theatre. 

13.  tkeir  shilling,  the  usual  16.    guarded,     faced.      The 

price  for  a  seat  on  the  stage,  yellow- faced  motley  coat  was 

the  most  privileged  place  in  the  the  garb  of  the  FooL 


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King  Henry  the  Eighth        act  i 

To  rank  our  chosen  truth  with  such  a  show 

As  fool  and  fight  is,  beside  forfeiting 

Our  own  brains,  and  the  opinion  that  we  bring,        ao 

To  make  that  only  true  we  now  intend, 

Will  leave  us  never  an  understanding  friend. 

Therefore,  for  goodness'  sake,   and  as  you   are 

known 
The  first  and  happiest  hearers  of  the  town, 
Be  sad,  as  we  would  make  ye :  think  ye  see 
The  very  persons  of  our  noble  story 
As  they  were  living ;  think  you  see  them  great, 
And  foUow'd  with  the  general  throng  and  sweat 
Of  thousand  friends ;  then  in  a  moment,  see 
How  soon  this  mightiness  meets  misery : 
And,  if  you  can  be  merry  then,  I  '11  say 
A  man  may  weep  upon  his  wedding-day. 


ACT  I. 

Scene  I.     London.     An  ante-chamber  in  the 
palace 

Enter  the  Duke  of  Norfolk  at  one  door ;  at 
the  other,  the  Duke  of  Buckingham  and 
the  Lord  Abergavenny. 

Buck,  Good  morrow,  and  well  met.     How  have 
ye  done 
Since  last  we  saw  in  France  ? 

Nor.  I  thank  your  grace, 

20.  the  opinion  that  we  bring,  24.    happiest,  best  disposed, 

the    reputation    we    bring    (of     readiest  to  seize  and  respond  to 
making  our  ensuing  play  in  strict      the  dramatist's  intention, 
accordance  with  truth).  2.  saw^  met 

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8c.  I         King  Henry  the  Eighth 

Healthful ;  and  ever  since  a  fresh  admirer 
Of  what  I  saw  there. 

Buck,  An  untimely  ague 

Stay'd  me  a  prisoner  in  my  chamber  when 
Those  suns  of  glory,  those  two  lights  of  men, 
Met  in  the  vale  of  Andren. 

Nor,  Twixt  Guynes  and  Arde : 

I  was  then  present,  saw  them  salute  on  horseback ; 
Beheld  them,  when  they  lighted,  how  they  clung 
In  their  embracement,  as  they  grew  together ;  lo 

Which  had  they,  what  four  throned  ones  could 

have  weigh'd 
Such  a  compounded  one  ? 

Buck,  All  the  whole  time 

I  was  my  chamber's  prisoner. 

Nor.  Then  you  lost 

The  view  of  earthly  glory :  men  might  say, 
Till  this  time  pomp  was  single,  but  now  married 
To  one  above  itself.     Each  following  day 
Became  the  next  day's  master,  till  the  last 
Made  former  wonders  its.     To-day  the  French, 
All  cUnquant,  all  in  gold,  like  heathen  gods, 
Shone  down  the  English ;  and,  to-morrow,  they        20 

4.  An  untimely  ague  sta^d  in  English  and  French  territory, 

me  a  prisoner ^  etc.  Tbe  historic  both  in  Picardy. 
Ehike  of  Buckingham  (Edward         17.    Became  the  next  day's 

Sta£ford,  d.  1521)  took  an  im-  master,  taught  and  transmitted 

portant   part  in   the   meeting,  its  triumphs  to  the  next  day. 
On  Jime  17  he  formed  part  of  «    .^    ,.  /%       *  .i. 

the  English  escort  of  the  French         ^^'  *^'  *?  ^T^     ^^^  ^^  *^« 

king  (w  HoUnshed,  ui.   860).  ^^  undoubted  occurrences  of 

The  Duke  of  Norfolk  on  the  ^f  ^^l^  "^  Shakespeare  s  text 

other   hand   was    in    England  The  Ff  print  it  •  it  s. 
(Cal.  Hen,  VIII,  iii.  i.  873,  cit.  19.  clinquant,  glittering  with 

Stone,  p.  425)  ;  but  it  does  not  gold.     The  word  was  properly 

appear  that  Shakespeare  could  used  of  thin  sheets  of  gold,  and 

have  known  this.  hence  already  suggests  the  golden 

7.  *  Twixt  Guynes  and  Arde;  sheen  made  more  definite  by  the 

these  places  being  respectively  next  words. 

VOL.  VII  161  M 


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King  Henry  the  Eighth        act  i 

Made  BritaiD  India :  every  man  that  stood 
Show'd  like  a  mine.     Their  dwarfish  pages  were 
As  cherubins,  all  gilt :  the  madams  too, 
Not  used  to  toil,  did  almost  sweat  to  bear 
The  pride  upon  them,  that  their  very  labour 
Was  to  them  as  a  painting :  nom  this  masque 
Was  cried  incomparable ;  and  the  ensuing  night 
Made  it  a  fool  and  beggar.     The  two  kii^, 
Equal  in  lustre,  were  now  best,  now  worst. 
As  presence  did  present  them ;  him  in  eye,  30 

Still  him  in  praise :  and,  being  present  both, 
Twas  said  they  saw  but  one ;  and  no  discemer 
Durst  wag  his  tongue  in  censure.     When  these 

suns — 
For  so  they  phrase  *em — ^by  their  heralds  chal- 
lenged 
The  noble  spirits  to  arms,  they  did  perform 
Beyond  thought's  compass;  that  f(»iner  fabulous 

story. 
Being  now  seen  possible  enough,  got  credit, 
That  Bevis  was  believed. 

Buck,  O,  you  go  far. 

Nor.  As  I  belong  to  worship  and  affect 
In  honour  honesty,  the  tract  of  every  thing  40 

Would  by  a  good  discourser  lose  some  life. 
Which  action's  self  was  tongue  to.     All  was  royal ; 
To  the  disposing  of  it  nought  rebelled. 
Order  gave  each  thing  view ;  the  dfice  did 

25.  pride,  splendid  vesture.  ton,    the  hero  of  the   famous 

ib.  their  very  labour  was  to  Middle  English  romance  of  that 

them  as  a  painting;  i.e.    the  name.      His    battle    with    the 

exertion  inflamed  their  cheeks.  Pant  Ascapart  is  referred  to  m 

.  ^            ^,    .  the  Contention  (passage  corre- 

32.  sa:w  but  one:  then-  ap-  sponding to  2 ^.^7  ii.  3. 93). 
pearancc  was  mdistmgmshable.  *^^    ^^^^  ^om^. 

33.  in  censure,   in  drawing  ^^;  ^^^r,' officere",  the  officials 
comparisons.  charged  with  the  arrangement 

38.  Bevis;  Bevis  of  Hamp-     of  procedure. 
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sc.  I         King  Henry  the  Eighth 

Distinctly  his  full  function. 

Buck,  Who  did  guide, 

I  mean,  who  set  the  body  and  the  limbs 
Of  this  great  sport  together,  as  you  guess  ? 

Nor.  One,  certes,  that  promises  no  element 
In  such  a  business. 

Buck.  I  pray  you,  who,  my  lord  ? 

Nor.    All  this  was  order'd   by  the  good  dis- 
cretion so 
Of  the  right  reverend  Cardinal  of  York. 

Buck,  The  devil  speed  him!  no  man's  pie  is 
freed 
From  his  ambitious  finger.     What  had  he 
To  do  in  these  fierce  vanities  ?     I  wonder 
That  such  a  keech  can  with  his  very  bulk 
Take  up  the  rays  o'  the  beneficial  sun 
And  keep  it  from  the  earth. 

Nor.  Surely,  sir, 

There 's  in  him  stuff  that  puts  him  to  these  ends ; 
For,  being  not  propp'd  by  ancestry,  whose  grace 
Chalks  sticcessors  their  way,  nor  calFd  upon  .   60 

For  high  fSeats  done  to  the  crown ;  neither  allied 
To  eminent  assistants ;  but,  spider-like. 
Out  of  his  self-drawing  web,  he  gives  us  note^ 
The  force  of  his  own  merit  makes  his  way ; 
A  gift  that  heaven  gives  for  him,  which  buys 
A  place  next  to  the  king. 

Aber,  I  cannot  tell 

What  heaven  hath  given  him, — let  some  graver  eye 
Pierce  into  that ;  but  I  can  see  his  pride 

45.  DisHnctly^  so  that  each  55.  keeck,  beef  fat  rolled  in  a 

item  of  the  ceremonies  received  lump   for   the  manufacture  of 

equal  attention  and  secured  its  tallow  :   here  with  allusion  to 

<^  effect.  Wolsey's  parentage. 

48.      promises    no    element,  63.  self -drawing,  drawn  from 

would  not  be  suspected  of  any  itself ;  th^e  is  a  somewhat  harsh 

concern.  diange  of  construction. 
163 


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King  Henry  the  Eighth        acti 

Peep  through  each  part  of  hkn :  whence  has  he 

that, 
If  not  from  hell  ?  the  devil  is  a  niggard,  70 

Or  has  given  all  before,  and  he  bc^^ins 
A  new  hell  in  himself. 

Buck,  Why  the  devil, 

Upon  this  French  going  out,  took  he  upon  him. 
Without  the  privity  o'  the  king,  to  appoint 
Who  should  attend  on  him?    He  makes  up  the 

file 
Of  all  the  gentry ;  for  the  most  part  such 
To  whom  as  great  a  charge  as  little  honour 
He  meant  to  lay  upon :  and  his  own  letter, 
The  honourable  board  of  council  out. 
Must  fetch  him  in  he  papers. 

Aber.  I  do  know  80 

Kinsmen  of  mine,  three  at  the  least,  that  have 
By  this  so  sickened  their  estates,  that  never 
They  shall  abound  as  formerly. 

Buck,  O,  many 

Have  broke  their  backs  with  laying  manors  on  'em 
For  this  great  journey.     What  did  this  vanity 
But  minister  communication  of 
A  most  poor  issue  ? 

Nor,  Grievingly  I  think, 

The  peace  between  the  French  and  us  not  values 
The  cost  that  did  conclude  it 

Buck,  Every  man, 

73.  going  out ^  expedition.  an    insignificant    result.       The 

80.    Must  fetch  him  in  he  thought  is  more  lucidly  expressed 

papers;  (his  independent  letter  by  Holinshed :  (Buckingham  de- 

of  summons,  drawn  up  without  clared  that)  'he  knew  not  for 

concurrence    of    the    council),  what    cause    so   much    money 

must  call  in  the  man  whom  he  should  be  spent  about  the  sight 

sets  in  his  list.  of  a  vain  talk  to  be  had,  and 

86.    minister  communication  communication  to  be  ministered 

cf  a  most  poor  issue  ^^v^ooczsioii  of   things   of   no   importance* 

to  a  conference  which  has  led  to  (iiL  855). 


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sc.  I         King  Henry  the  Eighth 

After  the  hideous  stonn  that  followed,  was  90 

A  thing  inspired ;  and,  not  consulting,  broke 
Into  a  general  jMrophecy ;  That  this  tempest. 
Dashing  the  garment  of  this  peace,  aboded 
The  sudden  breach  on  *t 

Nor,  Which  is  budded  out ; 

For   France  hath   flaw'd  the   league,   and    hath 

attached 
Our  merchants'  goods  at  Bourdeaux. 

Aber,  Is  it  therefore 

The  ambassador  is  silenced  ? 

Nor.  Marry,  is 't. 

Aber,  A  proper  title  of  a  peace ;  and  purchased 
At  a  superfluous  rate  1 

Buck,  Why,  all  this  business 

Our  reverend  cardinal  carried. 

Nor,  Like  it  your  grace,  100 

The  state  takes  notice  of  the  private  difference 
Betwixt  you  and  the  cardinal     I  advise  you — 
And  take  it  from  a  heart  that  wishes  towards  you 
Honour  and  plenteous  safety — ^that  you  read 
The  cardinal's  malice  and  his  potency 
Together ;  to  consider  further  that 
What  his  high  hatred  would  effect  wants  not 
A  minister  in  his  power.     You  know  his  nature, 
That  he 's  revengeful,  and  I  know  his  sword 

90.  the  hideous  storm  that  league,  etc.  This  'breach  of 
follow  d.  Holinshed  relates  that  the  alHance '  occurred  nearly  two 
on  Monday,  June  18,  '  was  such  years  later  (March  6,  1522), 
an  hideous  storm  of  wind  and  when  Francis  ordered  the  seizure 
weather  that  many  did  prognos-  of  all  English  goods  at  Bordeaux, 
ticate  trouble  and  hatred  shortly  97.  The  ambassador,  i.e.  the 
after  to  follow '  (iii.  860).  The  French  ambassador  at  the 
meeting  of  the  kings  ended  a  English  court.  He  was  '  com- 
week  later.  manded  to  keep  his  house  [in 

91.  not  consulting,  sponta-  silence]  and  not  come  in  presence 
neoosly.  till  he  was  sent  for '  (ib.  872  ; 

93.  aboded,  foreboded.  Halle,  63a). 

95.    France  hath  flawed  the         100.  carried,  carried  out. 

165 


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King  Henry  the  Eighth       act  i 

Hath  a  sharp  edge :  it 's  long  and,  't  may  be  Said,  i»> 
It  reaches  feu*,  and  where  'twill  not  extend. 
Thither  he  darts  it     Bosom  up  my  counsel, 
You  '11  find  it  wholesome.     Lo,  where  comes  that 

rock 
That  I  advise  your  shunning. 

Enter  Cardinal  Wolsey,  the  purse  borne  before 
him^  certain  of  the  Guard,  and  two  Secretaries 
with  papers.  The  Cardinal  in  his  passage 
fixeth  his  eye  on  Buckingham,  and  Bucking- 
ham on  him^  both  full  of  disdain, 

WoL  The  Duke  of  Buckingham's  surveyor,  ha  ? 
Where 's  his  examination  ? 

First  Seer.  Here,  so  please  you. 

WoL  Is  he  in  person  ready  ? 

First  Seer.  Ay,  please  your  grace. 

Wol.    Well,   we  shall  then   know  more;   and 
Buckingham 
Shall  lessen  this  big  look. 

[Exeunt  Wolsey  and  his  Train. 

Buck.    This   butcher's  ciu:  is  venom -mouth'd, 
and  I  lao 

Have  not  the  power  to  muzzle  him ;  therefore  best 
Not  wake  him  in  his  slumber.     A  beggar's  book 
Outworths  a  noble's  blood. 

Nor.  Wha^  are  you  chafed  ? 

Ask  God  for  temperance ;  that 's  the  appliance  only 
Which  your  disease  requires. 

Buck.  I  read  in 's  looks 

Matter  against  me ;  and  his  eye  reviled 
Me,  as  his  abject  object :  at  this  instant 
He  bores  me  with  some  trick :  he 's  gone  to  the 
king; 

ii6.  his  examincUion,  deposi-         IS2.  book^  i.e.  book-leaming. 
tion.  ia8.  bores ^  undermines. 

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sc.  I         King  Henry  the  Eighth 

1 11  follow  and  outstare  him. 

Nor,  Stay,  my  lord, 

And  let  your  reason  with  your  choler  question         130 
What  'tis  you  go  about :  to  climb  steep  hills 
Requires  slow  pace  at  first :  anger  is  like 
A  full-hot  horse,  who  being  allowed  his  way, 
Self-mettle  tires  him.     Not  a  man  in  England 
Can  advise  me  like  you :  be  to  yourself 
As  you  would  to  your  friend 

Buck,  1 11  to  the  king ; 

And  from  a  mouth  of  honour  quite  cry  down 
This  Ipswich  fellow's  insolence ;  or  proclaim 
There 's  difference  in  no  persons. 

Nor.         •  Be  advised ; 

Heat  not  a  furnace  for  your  foe  so  hot  140 

That  it  do  singe  yourself:  we  may  outrun. 
By  violent  swiftness,  that  which  we  run  at. 
And  lose  by  over-running.     Know  you  not. 
The  fire  that  mounts  the  liquor  till 't  run  o'er. 
In  seeming  to  augment  it  wastes  it  ?     Be  advised  : 
I  say  again,  there  is  no  English  soul 
More  stronger  to  direct  you  than  yourself. 
If  with  the  sap  of  reason  you  would  quench. 
Or  but  allay,  the  fire  of  passion. 

Buck.  Sir, 

I  am  thankful  to  you ;  and  1 11  go  along  150 

By  your  prescription  :  but  this  top-proud  fellow. 
Whom  from  the  flow  of  gall  I  name  not  but 
From  sincere  motions,  by  intelligence, 
And  proofe  as  clear  as  founts  in  July  when 
We  see  each  grain  of  gravel,  I  do  know 
To  be  corrupt  and  treasonous. 

134.  5^^iyM//i^,  his  own  high         139.  Be  advised^  reject. 
spirits. 

138.  /fsunck;'Wo]sef*sbkih'         153.    sifuere    moHoHS,    pure 
place.  mothres. 

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King  Henry  the  Eighth        act  i 

Nor.  Say  not  *  treasonous.' 

Buck,  To  the  king  111  say't;  and  make  my 
vouch  as  strong 
As  shore  of  rock.     Attend     This  holy  fox, 
Or  wolf,  or  both, — ^for  he  is  equal  ravenous 
As  he  is  subtle,  and  as  prone  to  mischief  i6o 

As  able  to  perform 't ;  his  mind  and  place 
Infecting  one  another,  yea,  reciprocally — 
Only  to  show  his  pomp  as  well  in  France 
As  here  at  home,  suggests  the  king  our  master 
To  this  last  costly  treaty,  the  interview. 
That  swallow'd  so  much  treasure,  and  like  a  glass 
Did  break  i'  the  rinsing. 

Nor.  Faith,  and  so  it  did. 

Buck,  Pray,  give  me  favour,  sir.     This  cunning 
cardinal 
The  articles  o'  the  combination  drew 
As  himself  pleased ;  and  they  were  ratified  170 

As  he  cried  *  Thus  let  be ' :  to  as  much  end 
As  give  a  crutch  to  the  dead:  but  our  count- 
cardinal 
Has  done  this,  and  'tis  well ;  for  worthy  Wolsey, 
Who  cannot  err,  he  did  it.     Now  this  follows, — 
Which,  as  I  take  it,  is  a  kind  of  puppy 
To  the  old  dam,  treason, — Charles  the  emperor, 
Under  pretence  to  see  the  queen  his  aunt, — 
For  'twas  indeed  his  colour,  but  he  came 
To  whisper  Wolsey, — here  makes  visitation : 
His  fears  were,  that  the  interview  betwixt  180 

England  and  France  might,  through  their  amity, 
Breed  him  some  prejudice ;  for  from  this  league 

164.  suggests,  incites.  This  visit  occurred,  according 

166.  like  a  glass ^  i.e.  at  once  to  Holinshed,  who  describes  it 

brilliant  and  fraiL  in  similar  terms,  in  May  1520, 

171.  to  €u  much  endt  with  as  a  fortnight  before  Henry's  meet- 
much  useful  efifect  ing  with  Francis. 

Z76.  Charles  the  emperor t^XR,         178.  ^^vr,  pretext 

168 


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sc.  I        King  Henry  the  Eighth 

Peep'd  hanns  that  menaced  him :  he  privily 
Deals  with  our  cardinal ;  and,  as  I  trow, — 
Which  I  go  well ;  for  I  am  sure  the  emperor 
Paid  ere  he  promised ;  whereby  his  suit  was  granted 
Ere  it  was  ask'd ;  but  when  the  way  was  made, 
Apd  paved  with  gold,  the  emperor  thus  desired. 
That  he  would  please  to  alter  the  king's  course. 
And  break  the  foresaid  peace.     Let  the  king  know,  190 
As  soon  he  shall  by  me,  that  thus  the  cardinal 
Does  buy  and  sell  his  honour  as  he  pleases. 
And  for  his  own  advantage. 

Nor,  I  am  sorry 

To  hear  this  of  him ;  and  could  wish  he  were 
Something  mistaken  in 't. 

Buck,  No,  not  a  syllable : 

I  do  pronounce  him  in  that  very  shape 
He  shall  appear  in  proof. 

Enter  Brandon,  a  Sergeant-at-arms  before  hitn^ 
and  two  or  three  of  the  Guard. 

Bran,  Your  office,  sergeant ;  execute  it 

Serg,  Sir, 

My  lord  the  Duke  of  Buckingham,  and  Earl 
Of  Hereford,  Stafford,  and  Northampton,  I  300 

Arrest  thee  of  high  treason,  in  the  name 
Of  our  most  sovereign  king. 

Buck,  Lo,  you,  my  lord. 

The  net  has  fall'n  upon  me !  I  shall  perish 
Under  device  and  practice. 

Bran,  I  am  sorry 

To  see  you  ta'en  from  liberty,  to  look  on 

197.  Brandon,  This  is  perhaps     Henry's  coronation  (Stone,  HoU 
meant  for  Sir  Thomas  Brandon,      inshed,  p.  430  n. ). 
masterofthe  King's  horse,  whom         200.    Htrtford.     Ff.    'Hert- 
Holinshed  and  Halle  mention  as     ford. '    The  correction  was  made 
in  the  royal  train  the  day  before     by  CapdL 
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King  Henry  the  Eighth        acti 

The  business  present :  'tis  his  highness'  pleasure 
You  shall  to  the  Tower. 

Buck.  It  will  help  me  nothing 

To  i^ead  mine  innocence ;  for  that  dye  is  on  me 
Which  makes  my  whitest  part  black.     The  will 

of  heaven 
Be  done  in  this  and  all  things !     I  obey.  sio 

0  my  lord  Abergavenny,  fare  you  well ! 

Bran,  Nay,  he  must  bear  you  company.     The 
king  [To  Abergavenny, 

Is  pleased  you  shall  to  the  Tower,  till  you  know 
How  he  determines  further. 

Aber,  As  the  duke  said, 

The  will  of  heaven  be  done,  and  the  king's  pleasure 
By  me  obe/d ! 

Bran,  Here  is  a  warrant  from 

The  king  to  attach   Lord  Montacute;  and  the 

bodies 
Of  the  duke's  oSnfessor,  John  de  la  Car, 
One  Gilbert  Peck,  his  chancellor, — 

Buck,  So,  so ; 

These  are  the  limbs  o'  the  plot :  no  more,  I  hope,  aao 

Bran,  A  monk  o'  the  Chartreux. 

Buck,  O,  Nicholas  Hopkins  ? 

Bran,  He. 

Buck,    My   siirveyor   is    false;    the   o'er- great 
cardinal 
Hath  show'd  him  gold ;  my  life  is  spann'd  ahready : 

1  am  the  shadow  of  poor  Buckingham, 

209.  whitest  (one  syllable).  Theobald's     correction     (from 

211.  AbergavennytFi^Abxa-  Holinshed)     of    Ff     *  Michael 

gany/     and     so     pronounced  Hopkins.' 

throughout.  224.  /  am  ike  shadow  if  poor 

219.    chancellor;  Ff.    coun-  Buckingham; MsedmUhtidQV&M 

celloHr.     Holinshed  and  Halle  reference   to    its   unsubstantial 

both  give  the  name  as  Perke.  quality  (opposed  to  vitality)  and 

221.     Nicholas       Hophins;  gloom  (opposed  to  sunlight). 

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sc.  II        King  Henry  the  Eighth 

Whose  figure  even  this  instant  cloud  puts  on, 
By  darkening  my  clear  sun.     My  lord,  farewell. 

[Exeunt 


Scene  IL     Tike  same.     The  council-chamber. 

Comets,  Enter  the  King,  leaning  on  the 
Cardinal's  shoulder^  the  Nobles,  and  Sir 
Thomas  Lovell  ;  the  Cardinal  places  him- 
self under  the  KiNG^s  feet  on  his  right  side. 

King.  My  life  itself  and  the  best  heart  of  it, 
Thanks  you  for  this  great  care :  I  stood  i'  the  level 
Of  a  full-chaiged  confederacy,  and  give  thanks 
To  you  that  choked  it     Let  be  calFd  before  us 
That  gentleman  of  Buckingham's ;  in  person 
1 11  hear  hin^  his  confessions  justify ; 
And  point  by  point  the  treasons  of  his  master 
He  shall  again  relate. 

A  noise  within^  crying  *  Room  for  the  Queen ! ' 
Enter  Queen  Katharine,  ushered  by  the 
Duke  of  Norfolk,  and  the  Duke  of  Suf- 
folk :  she  kneels.  The  King  riseth  from  his 
statCy  takes  her  up^  kisses  and  placeth  her  by  him. 

Q.  Kaih.  Nay,  we  must  longer  kneel:    I  am 
a  suitor. 

225.     Whose  figure^    eta  ;  levy,   its  date  is    1525,   when 

Buckingham  is  now»  by  a  slightly  Henry  projected  a  French  war. 
dififerent  image,  compared  to  a         Sir  Thomas  Lovell^  Marshal 

figure  seen  dark  against  the  sun,  of    the    Household   to    Henry 

— ^withdrawn  from  the  sunshine  VIII. ,    and   Constable   of  the 

of  court  £Eivour.  Tower. 

Sc,  2.  The  scene  corresponds         i.    the  best  hearty   the  very 

to  two  historical  dates ;  in  so  far  core, 
as  it  relates  to  Buckingham,  the         2.  t*  the  level,  in  the  aim. 
date  is  shortly  before  his  trial         3.  full- charged  (carrying  on 

(May  23,  1521) ;  lo  far  as   it  the  image  of  a  gun), 
relates  to  the  queen  and   the         3.  confederacy^  conspiracy. 

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King  Henry  the  Eighth       act  i 

King.  Arise,  and  take  place  by  us :  half  your 
suit  lo 

Never  name  to  us ;  you  have  half  our  power : 
The  other  moiety,  ere  you  ask,  is  given ; 
Repeat  your  will  and  take  it 

Q.  Katk,  Thank  your  majesty. 

That  you  would  love  yourself  and  in  that  love 
Not  unconsider'd  leave  your  honour,  nor 
The  dignity  of  your  office,  is  the  point 
Of  my  petition. 

King.  Lady  mine,  proceed. 

Q,  Katk,  I  am  soUcited,  not  by  a  few. 
And  those  of  true  condition,  that  your  subjects 
Are  in  great  grievance:    there  have  been  com- 
missions so 
Sent  down  among  'em,  which  hath  flaw'd   the 

heart 
Of  all  their  loyalties :  wherein,  although. 
My  good  lord  cardinal,  they  vent  reproaches 
Most  bitterly  on  you,  as  putter  on 
Of  these  exactions,  yet  the  king  our  master — 
Whose  honour  heaven  shield  from  soil  !^-even  he 

escapes  not 
Language  unmannerly,  yea,  such  which  breaks 
The  sides  of  loyalty,  and  almost  appears 
In  loud  rebellion. 

Nor.  Not  almost  appears, 

It  doth  appear ;  for,  upon  these  taxations,  30 

The  clothiers  all,  not  able  to  maintain 
The  many  to  them  longing,  have  put  off 
The  spinsters,  carders,  fullers,  weavers,  who. 
Unfit  for  other  life,  compeird  by  hunger 
And  lack  of  other  means,  in  desperate  manner 

13.  Repeat^  state.  what  loyalty  permits. 

27.  bredks  the  sides  of  loyalty,         32.  put  <^t  dismissed, 
passes  the  extremest  verge  of         33.  spinsters,  spimiers. 
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sc.  II        King  Henry  the  Eighth 

Daring  the  event  to  the  teeth,  are  all  in  uproar, 
And  danger  serves  among  them. 

King,  Taxation ! 

Wherein  ?  and  what  taxation  ?     My  lord  cardinal, 
You  that  are  blamed  for  it  alike  with  us, 
Know  you  of  this  taxation  ? 

WoL  Please  you,  sir,  40 

I  know  but  of  a  single  part,  in  aught 
Pertains  to  the  state ;  and  front  but  in  that  file 
Where  others  tell  steps  with  me. 

Q.  Kath,  No,  my  lord. 

You  know  no  more  than  others ;  but  you  frame 
Things   that   are  known   alike;    which   are   not 

wholesome 
To  those  which  would  not  know  them,  and  yet 

must 
Perforce  be  their  acquaintance.     These  exactions. 
Whereof  my  sovereign  would  have  note,  they  are 
Most  pestilent  to  the  hearing ;  and,  to  bear  'em, 
The  back  is  sacrifice  to  the  load.     They  say  so 

They  are  devised  by  you ;  or  else  you  suffer 
Too  hard  an  exclamation. 

King.  Still  exaction ! 

The  nature  of  it  ?  in  what  kind,  let 's  know. 
Is  this  exaction  ? 

Q.  Kath.  I  am  much  too  venturous 

In  tempting  of  your  patience ;  but  am  bolden'd 
Under  your  promised  pardon.    The  subjects'  grief 
Comes  through  commissions,  which  compel  from 

each 
The  sixth  part  of  his  substance,  to  be  levied 
Without  delay ;  and  the  pretence  for  this 
Is  named,  your  wars  in  France :  this  makes  bold 
mouths :  60 

45.  aliket  to  all  equally.  48.  note,  infonnatioii. 

56.  grief,  grievance. 

173 


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King  Henry  the  Eighth        act  i 

Tongues  spit  their  duties  out,  and  cold  hearts 

freeze 
Allegiance  in  them ;  their  curses  now 
Live  where  their  prayers  did:  and  it's  come  to 

pass, 
Thb  tractable  obedience  is  a  slave 
To  each  incensed  will     I  would  your  highness 
Would  give  it  quick  consideration,  for 
There  is  no  primer  business. 

King,  By  my  lif^ 

This  is  against  our  pleasure. 

WoL  And  for  me, 

I  have  no  further  gone  in  this  than  by 
A  single  voice ;  and  that  not  pass'd  me  but  70 

By  learned  approbation  of  the  judges.     If  I  am 
Traduced  by  ignorant  tongues,  which  neither  know 
My  Acuities  ^or  person,  yet  will  be 
The  chronicles  of  my  doing,  let  me  say 
Tis  but  the  fate  of  place,  and  the  rough  brake 
That  virtue  must  go  through.    We  must  not  stint 
Our  necessary  actions,  in  the  fear 
To  cope  malicious  censurers ;  which  ever. 
As  ravenous  fishes,  do  a  vessel  follow 
That  is  new-trimm'd,  but  benefit  no  further  80 

Than  vainly  longing.     What  we  oft  do  best, 
By  sick  interpreters,  once  weak  ones,  is 
Not  ours,  or  not  allow'd ;  what  worst,  as  oft, 
Hitting  a  grosser  quality,  is  cried  up 
For  our  best  act     If  we  shall  stand  still» 

67.  primer^  more  m^ent  82.  once^  once  for  alt,  in  a 

67.    business ;    Warbmton's  word  (Ger.  •  einmal/  Schmidt). 

correction  of  Ff  •  baseness.'  This    is    a  well  -  authenticated 

75.  irake.  thicket.  Shatepeai«n     u»ge  ;    other 

*  ^  renderings,  such  as  '  at  one  time, 

78.  cope,  encounter.  .  sometimes,'   imply    a   special 

82.    sick,   mentally  warped,  application    to    Wolsey's    case 

prejudiced.  wtdch  is  not  intended. 


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sc.  II        King  Henry  the  Eighth 

In  fear  our  motion  will  be  mock'd  or  carp'd  at. 
We  should  take  root  here  where  we  sit,  or  sit 
State-statues  only. 

King,  Things  done  well, 

And  with  a  care,  exempt  themselves  from  fear ; 
Things  done  without  example,  in  their  issue  90 

Are  to  be  fear'd.     Have  you  a  precedent 
Of  this  commission  ?     I  believe,  not  any. 
We  must  not  rend  our  subjects  from  our  laws. 
And  stick  them  in  oiu:  will.     Sixth  part  of  each  ? 
A  trembling  contribution !     Why,  we  take 
From  every  tree  lop,  bark,  and  part  o'  the  timber ; 
And,  though  we  leave  it  with  a  root,  thus  hacked, 
The  air  will  drink  the  sap.     To  every  county 
Where  this  is  questioned  send  our  letters,  with 
Free  pardon  to  each  man  that  has  denied  100 

The  force  of  this  commission  :  pray,  look  to 't ; 
I  put  it  to  your  care. 

WoL  A  word  with  you. 

\To  the  Secretary, 
Let  there  be  letters  writ  to  every  shire. 
Of  the  king's  grace  and  pardon.      The  grieved 

commons 
Hardly  conceive  of  me ;  let  it  be  noised 
That  through  our  intercession  this  revokement 
And  pardon  comes :  I  shall  anon  advise  you 
Further  in  the  proceeding.  \Exit  Secretary, 

Enter  Surveyor. 

Q,  Kath,  I  am  sorry  that  the  Duke  of  Buck- 
ingham 

95.  trembling,  such  as  one  108.  Enter  Surveyor,  Charles 
treinbled  at,  to  be  tfemUed  at,  Kuyvett.  He  had  been  dis- 
'  tremendous.'  missed      from      Buckingham's 

96.  lop,  the  smaller  boughs  employ.  His  evidence  as  here 
and  twigs  of  trees  cut  off  for  given  is  taken  in  nearly  every 
firewood.  detail  from  Holinshed. 

»7S 


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King  Henry  the  Eighth       act  i 

Is  run  in  your  displeasure. 

King,  It  grieves  many :  xio 

The    gentleman    is   leam'd,    and    a   most   rare 

speaker ; 
To  nature  none  more  bound ;  his  training  such 
That  he  may  furnish  and  instruct  great  teachers. 
And  never  seek  for  aid  out  of  himself.     Yet  see, 
When  these  so  noble  benefits  shall  prove 
Not  well  disposed,  the  mind  growing  once  corrupt, 
They  turn  to  vicious  forms,  ten  times  more  ugly 
Than  ever  they  were  fair.     This  man  so  complete, 
Who  was  enroird  'mongst  wonders,  and  when  we, 
Almost  with  ravish'd  listening,  could  not  find  zao 

His  hour  of  speech  a  minute ;  he,  my  lady. 
Hath  into  monstrous  habits  put  the  graces 
That  once  were  his,  and  is  become  as  black 
As  if  besmear'd  in  hell.      Sit  by  us ;    you  shall 

hear — 
This  was  his  gentleman  in  trust— of  him 
Things  to  strike  honour  sad.     Bid  him  recount 
The  fore-recited  practices ;  whereof 
We  cannot  feel  too  little,  hear  too  much. 

WoL  Stand  forth,  and  with  bold  spirit  relate 

what  you. 
Most  like  a  careful  subject,  have  collected  130 

Out  of  the  Duke  of  Buckingham. 

King.  Speak  freely. 

Surv,  First,  it  was  usual  with  him,  every  day 
It  would  infect  his  speech,  thr.t  if  the  king 
Should  without  issue  die,  he  '11  carry  it  so 
To  make  the  sceptre  his :  these  very  words 
I  've  heard  him  utter  to  his  son-in-law, 
Lord  Abergavenny ;  to  whom  by  oath  he  menaced 
Revenge  upon  the  cardinal. 

Wd.  Please  your  highness,  note 

zio.  in,  into. 
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sc.  II        King  Henry  the  Eighth 

This  dangerous  conception  in  this  point 
Not  friended  by  his  wish,  to  your  high  person         140 
His  will  is  most  malignant ;  and  it  stretches 
Beyond  you,  to  your  friends. 

Q,  KatK  My  learned  lord  cardinal, 

Deliver  all  with  charity. 

King.  Speak  on : 

How  grounded  he  his  title  to  the  crown. 
Upon  our  fail  ?  to  this  point  hast  thou  heard  him 
At  any  time  speak  aught  ? 

Surv,  He  was  brought  to  this 

By  a  vain  prophecy  of  Nicholas  Henton. 

King.  What  was  that  Henton  ? 

Surv.  Sir,  a  Chartreux  friar. 

His  confessor  ;  who  fed  him  every  minute 
With  words  of  sovereignty. 

King,  How  know'st  thou  this  ?  150 

Surv.  Not  long  before  your  highness  sped  to 
France, 
The  duke  being  at  the  Rose,  within  the  parish 
Saint  Lawrence  Poultney,  did  of  me  demand 
What  was  the  speech  among  the  Londoners 
Concerning  the  French  journey  :  I  replied. 
Men  fear'd  the  French  would  prove  perfidious, 
To  the  king's  danger.     Presently  the  duke 
Said,  'twas  the  fear,  indeed ;  and  that  he  doubted 
Twould  prove  the  verity  of  certain  words 
Spoke  by  a  holy  monk ;  *  that  oft,'  says  he,  160 

'  Hath  sent  to  me,  wishing  me  to  permit 
John  de  la  Car,  my  chaplain,  a  choice  hour 
To  hear  from  him  a  matter  of  some  moment : 
Whom  after  under  the  confession's  seal 

147.  Nicholas  Henton  ;  slip  is  doubtless  Shakespeare's. 
Nicholas  Hopkins,  '  a  monk  of  163.  choice ^  carefully  chosen, 
an  house  of  the  Chartreux  order  164.  confession's.  Theobald's 

beside  Bristow  [Bristol],  called  correction  (from  Holinshed)  of 

Henton,'  Holinshed, iii.  862.  The  Ff  '  commissions. ' 

VOL.  VI  177  N 


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King  Henry  the  Eighth        act  i 

He  solemnly  had  sworn,  that  what  he  spoke 
My  chaplain  to  no  creature  living,  but 
To  me,  should  utter,  with  demure  confidence 
This  pausingly  ensued:    Neither  the  king  nor's 

heirs, 
Tell  you  the  duke,  shall  prosper :  bid  him  strive 
To  gain  the  love  o*  the  commonalty :  the  duke       170 
Shall  govern  England.' 

Q.  Kath,  If  I  know  you  well, 

You   were   the   duke's   surveyor,   and   lost  your 

office 
On  the  complaint  o'  the  tenants :  take  good  heed 
You  charge  not  in  your  spleen  a  noble  person 
And  spoil  your  nobler  soul :  I  say,  take  heed ; 
Yes,  heartily  beseech  you. 

King.  Let  him  on. 

Go  forward. 

Surv.  On  my  soul,  I  '11  speak  but  truth, 

I  told  my  lord  the  duke,  by  the  devil's  illusions 
The  monk  might  be  deceived;    and  that  'twas 

dangerous  for  him 
To  ruminate  on  this  so  far,  until  tSo 

It  forged  him  some  design,  which,  being  believed, 
It  was  much  like  to  do  :  he  answer'd,  '  Tush, 
It  can  do  me  no  damage ; '  adding  further, 
That,  had  the  king  in  his  last  sickness  faiPd, 
The  cardinal's  and  Sir  Thomas  Lovell's  heads 
Should  have  gone  o£El 

King,  Ha !  what,  so  rank  ?    Ah  ha ! 

There's  mischief  in  this  man:    canst  thou  say 
further  ? 

Surv,  I  can,  my  liege. 

King.  Proceed. 

Surv.  Being  at  Greenwich, 

170.   T6  gain  the  Icve.    So  F4.    The  first  three  Ff  have  *  to  the 
lovc» 

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sc.  II        King  Henry  the  Eighth 

After  your  highness  had  reproved  the  duke 
About  Sir  William  Bulmer, — 

King,  I  remember  190 

Of  such  a  time :  being  my  sworn  servant, 
The  duke  retained  him  his.    But  on ;  what  hence  ? 

Surv.    'If/  quoth   he,   'I  for  this   had  been 
committed, 
As  to  the  Tower  I  thought,  I  would  have  play'd 
The  part  my  father  meant  to  act  upon 
The  usurper  Richard ;  who,  being  at  Salisbury, 
Made    suit    to   come    in 's   presence ;    which    if 

granted, 
As  he  made  semblance  of  his  duty,  would 
Have  put  his  knife  into  him.' 

King,  A  giant  traitor ! 

IV(?/,  Now,  madam,  may  his  highness  live  in 
freedom,  200 

And  this  man  out  of  prison  ? 

Q.  Kath,  God  mend  all ! 

King,  There's  something  more  would  out  of 
thee ;  what  say'st  ? 

Surv,  After   'the  duke    his   father,'  with   the 
'knife,' 
He  stretch'd  him,  and,  with  one   hand  on  his 

dagger, 
Another  spread  on 's  breast,  mounting  his  eyes, 
He  did  discharge  a  horrible  oath ;  whose  tenour 
Was, — were  he  evil  used,  he  would  outgo 
His  father  by  as  much  as  a  performance 
Does  an  irresolute  purpose. 

X90.  Sir  William  Bulmer,  Cf.  Rich,  III,  y.  i.  i,  where, 
Ff  '  Blumer.'  Holinsbed  '  Bui-  however,  no  allusion  is  made  to 
mer.'  He  had  offended  the  long  the  elder  Buckingham's  alleged 
by  quitting  his  aemoe  for  the  design.  Holinshed  mentions  It 
duke's.  in  both  the  corresponding  pas- 

sages of  his  Chronicle  (iii  744 
Z97.  Made  mit  to  comet  etc     and  864). 
179 


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King  Henry  the  Eighth       ac 

King.  There  *s  his  period, 

To  sheathe  his  knife  in  us.     He  is  attached ; 
Call  him  to  present  trial :  if  he  may 
Find  mercy  in  the  law,  'tis  his ;  if  none. 
Let  him  not  seek 't  of  us  :  by  day  and  night ! 
He 's  traitor  to  the  height  [Exeunt. 


Scene  HI.     An  antechamber  in  the  palace. 

Enter  the  Lord  Chamberlain  and  Lord  Sands. 

Cham.  Is  *t  possible  the  spells  of  France  should 
juggle 
Men  into  such  strange  mysteries  ? 

Sands.  New  customs, 

Though  they  be  never  so  ridiculous. 
Nay,  let  'em  be  unmanly,  yet  are  followed. 

Cham.    As   far   as   I   see,   all   the   good    our 
English 
Have  got  by  the  late  voyage  is  but  merely 
A  fit  or  two  o*  the  face;   but  they  are  shrewd 

ones; 
For    when    they    hold    'em,    you    would    swear 

directly 
Their  very  noses  had  been  counsellors 
To  Pepin  or  Clotharius,  they  keep  state  so.  xo 

Sands.    They  have   all    new  legs,   and    lame 
ones :  one  would  take  it. 
That  never  saw  'em  pace  before,  the  spavin 

Sc.  S'  By  Fletcher  (Sp.).  Carlovingian  and  Merovingian 

2.  my.f/^rr^j,  fantastic  fashions,  djmasties  respectively). 

7.  A  fit  or  two  0'  the  face,  a  10.  keep  state  so,  affect  such 

grimace  or  two.  inordinate  pomposity. 

7.  shrewd,  knowing.  12.  spavin  or  springhalt ,  two 

10.     Pepin    or    Clotharius,  diseases  in  the  legs  of  horses 

ancient  French   kings  (of  the  causing  lameness. 
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sc.  Ill       King  Henry  the  Eighth 

Or  springhalt  reign'd  among  'em. 

Cham,  Death !  my  lord, 

Their  clothes  are  after  such  a  pagan  cut  too, 
That,  sure,  they  Ve  worn  out  Christendom. 

Enter  Sir  Thomas  Lovell. 

How  now ! 
What  news,  Sir  Thomas  Lovell  ? 

Lov,  Faith,  my  lord, 

I  hear  of  none,  but  the  new  proclamation 
That 's  clapp'd  upon  the  court-gate. 

Cham.  What  is 't  for? 

Lov,  The  reformation  of  our  travelPd  gallants, 
That  fill  the  court  with  quarrels,  talk,  and  tailors,     ao 

Cham,  I*m  glad  'tis  there :  now  I  would  pray 
our  monsieurs 
To  think  an  English  courtier  may  be  wise. 
And  never  see  the  Louvre. 

Lov.  They  must  either. 

For  so  run  the  conditions,  leave  those  remnants 
Of  fool  and  feather  that  they  got  in  France, 
With  all  their  honourable  points  of  ignorance 
Pertaining  thereunto,  as  fights  and  fireworks. 
Abusing  better  men  than  they  can  be. 
Out  of  a  foreign  wisdom,  renouncing  clean 
The  faith  they  have  in  tennis,  and  tall  stockings,      30 
Short  blister'd  breeches,  and  those  types  of  travel. 
And  understand  again  like  honest  men ; 
Or  pack  to  their  old  playfellows :  there,  I  take  it. 
They  may,  *  cum  privilegio,'  wear  away 
The  lag  end  of  their  lewdness  and  be  laugh'd  at. 

15.  Viorn  out,  outlasted.  30.     The  faith  they  have  in 

25.  fool  and  feather.     A  cap  tennis  ;  the  game  was  peculiarly 

with  showy  {dumes  was  a  mark  in  vogue  among  the  French. 

of  French  fashion  ;  it  was  also  31.  blister' d,  slashed  (puff  of 

part  of  the  characteristic  garb  silk  or  satin  lining  emerging  at 

of  the  Jester.  the  slashes). 

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King  Henry  the  Eighth        act  i 

Sands.  Tis  time  to  give  'em  physic,  their  diseases 
Are  grown  so  catching. 

Cham,  What  a  loss  our  ladies 

Will  have  of  these  trim  vanities ! 

Lav,  Ay,  marry, 

There  will  be  woe  indeed,  lords :  the  sly  whore- 
sons 
Have  got  a  speeding  trick  to  lay  down  ladies ;  40 

A  French  song  and  a  fiddle  has  no  fellow. 

Sa?ids,  The  devil  fiddle  'em !     I  am  glad  they 
are  going, 
For,  sure,  there 's  no  converting  of  'em :  now 
An  honest  country  lord,  as  I  am,  beaten 
A  long  time  out  of  play,  may  bring  his  plain-song 
And  have  an  hour  of  hearing ;  and,  by'r  lady, 
Held  current  music  too. 

Cham.  Well  said.  Lord  Sands ; 

Your  colt's  tooth  is  not  cast  yet 

Sands.  No,  my  lord ; 

Nor  shall  not,  while  I  have  a  stump. 

Cham.  Sir  Thomas, 

Whither  were  you  a-going  ? 

Lov,  To  the  cardinal's :        50 

Your  lordship  is  a  guest  too. 

Cham.  O,  'tis  true : 

This  night  he  makes  a  supper,  and  a  great  one. 
To  many  lords  and  ladies ;  there  will  be 
The  beauty  of  this  kingdom,  I  '11  assure  you. 

Lov.  That  churchman  bears  a  bounteotus  mind 
indeed, 
A  hand  as  fruitful  as  the  land  that  feeds  us ; 
His  dews  fall  every  where. 

Cham,  No  doubt  he 's  noble ; 

He  had  a  black  mouth  that  said  other  of  him. 

45.  plain^songf  simple  melody,  without  variatioiis. 
55.  churchman,  ecclesiastic. 

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sc.  IV       King  Henry  the  'Eighth 

Sands.  He  may,  my  lord;  'has  wherewithal: 
in  him 
Sparing  would  show  a  worse  sin  than  ill  doctrine :    60 
Men  of  his  way  should  be  most  liberal ; 
They  are  set  here  for  examples. 

Cham.  True,  they  are  so ; 

But  few  now  give  so  great  ones.     My  barge  stays ; 
Your  lordship  shall  along.  Come,  good  Sir  Thomas, 
We  shall  be  late  else ;  which  I  would  not  be, 
For  I  was  spoke  to,  with  Sir  Henry  Guildford 
This  night  to  be  comptrollers. 

Sands.  I  am  your  lordship's.     [Exeunt. 


Scene  IV.     A  Hail  in  York  Fiace. 

Hautboys.  A  smaii  tabic  under  a  state  for  the 
Cardinal,  a  ionger  tabie  for  the  guests. 
Then  enter  Anne  Bullen  and  divers  other 
Ladies  and  Gentlemen  as  guests^  at  one 
door;  at  another  door^  enter  Sir  Henry 
Guildford. 

Guiid.    Ladies,    a  general  welcome  from   his 
grace 
Salutes  ye  all ;  this  night  he  dedicates 
To  fair  content  and  you :  none  here,  he  hopes. 
In  all  this  noble  bevy,  has  brought  with  her 
One  care  abroad ;  he  would  have  all  as  merry 

59.  *has,  he  has.     Ff  •  ha's. '  Sc.  4.   By  Fletcher  (Sp. ). 

63.  My  barge  stays.  They  are  The  account  of  Wolsey's  ban- 
in  the  king's  palace  at  Bridewell,  quet  was  ultimately  derived  from 
and  proceed  thence  down  the  Cavendish's  Life  of  Wolsey. 
river  to  York  Place  (White-  The  historical  date  was  January 
ball).  3,  1527.                     « 

67.  comptrollers t  ie.   of  the  under    a    state,    a   canopied 

entertainroent  chair. 


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King  Henry  the  Eighth       act  i 

As,  first,  good  company,  good  wine,  good  wel- 
come. 

Can  make  good  people.  O,  my  lord,  yoa  're 
tardy: 

Enter  Lord  Chamberlain,  Lord  Sands,  and 
Sir  Thomas  Lovell. 

The  very  thought  of  this  fair  company 
Clapp'd  wings  to  me 

Cham,  You  are  young.  Sir  Harry  Guildford. 

Sands,  Sir  Thomas  Lovell,  had  the  cardinal  xo 

But  half  my  lay  thoughts  in  him,  some  of  these 
Should  find  a  running  banquet  ere  they  rested, 
I  think  would  better  please  'em :  by  my  life, 
They  are  a  sweet  society  of  fair  ones. 

Lov,  O,  that  your  lordship  were  but  now  con- 
fessor 
To  one  or  two  of  these ! 

Sands,  I  would  I  were ; 

They  should  find  easy  penance. 

Lav.  Faith,  how  easy? 

Sands.  As  easy  as  a  down-bed  would  afford  it. 

Cham,  Sweet  ladies,  will  it  please  you  sit  ?     Sir 
Harry, 
Place  you  that  side ;  I  '11  take  the  charge  of  this       so 
His  grace  is  entering.     Nay,  you  must  not  fi-eeze ; 
Two  women  placed  together  makes  cold  weather : 
My  Lord  Sands,  yoU  are  one  will  keep  'em  waking ; 
Pray,  sit  between  these  ladies. 

Sands,  By  my  faith. 

And  thank  your  lordship.  By  your  leave,  sweet 
ladies ; 

6.    Ast  firsts  good  company,  provide  the  favouring  conditions, 
etc.,  i.e,  apart  from  the  special  12.    a    running   banquet,   a 

matter  of  the  mirth  for  which  hasty  refreshment  or  dessert  at 

company,   wine,    and   welcome  the  conclusion  of  a  feast. 

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sc.  IV        King  Henry  the  Eighth 

If  I  chance  to  talk  a  little  wild,  forgive  me ; 
I  had  it  from  my  father; 

Anne,  Was  he  mad,  sir? 

Sands.  O,  very  mad,  exceeding  mad,  in  love  too : 
But  he  would  bite  none ;  just  as  I  do  now, 
He  would  kiss  you  twenty  with  a  breath. 

[Kisses  her. 

Cham.  Well  said,  my  lord.    30 

So,  now  you're  feirly  seated.     Gentlemen, 
The  penance  lies  on  you,  if  these  fair  ladies 
Pass  away  frowning. 

Sands.  For  my  little  cure, 

Let  me  alone. 

Hautboys.     Enter  Cardinal  Wolsey,  and 
takes  his  state. 

WoL  You're  welcome,   my  fair  guests:   that 
noble  lady, 
Or  gentleman,  that  is  not  freely  merry, 
Is  not  my  friend :  this,  to  confirm  my  welcome ; 
And  to  you  all,  good  health.  [Drinks. 

Sands.  Your  grace  is  noble : 

Let  me  have  such  a  bowl  may  hold  my  thanks. 
And  save  me  so  much  talking. 

WoL  My  Lord  Sands,     40 

I  am  beholding  to  you  :  cheer  yoiu:  neighbours. 
Ladies,  you  are  not  merry :  gentlemen, 
Whose  fault  is  this  ? 

Sands.  The  red  wine  first  must  rise 

In  their  fair  cheeks,  my  lord ;  then  we  shall  have 

'em 
Talk  us  to  silence. 

Anne.  You  are  a  merry  gamester, 

30.  twenty,  i.e.  women.  45.   gamester^  frolicsome 

33.    cure,  charge  (•  cure  of     fellow.      Sands   plays   on    die 
souls').  word. 

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King  Henry  the  Eighth        act  i 

My  Lord  Sands. 

Sands,  Yes,  if  I  make  my  play. 

Here 's  to  your  ladyship :  and  pledge  it,  madam. 
For  'tis  to  such  a  thing, — 

Anne,  You  cannot  show  me. 

Sands,  I  told  your  grace  they  would  talk  anon. 
[Drum  and  trumpet^  chambers  discharged. 

Wol  What's  that? 

Cham,  Look  out  there,  some  of  ye. 

\Exit  Servant, 

Wol,  What  warlike  voice,   50 

And  to  what  end,  is  this  ?     Nay,  ladies,  fear  not ; 
By  all  the  laws  of  war  you  're  privileged. 

Re-enter  Servant. 

Cham,  How  now  !  what  is 't  ? 
Serv,  A  noble  troop  of  strangers ; 

For  so  they  seem:  they've  left  their  barge  and 

landed; 
And  hither  make,  as  great  ambassadors 
From  foreign  princes. 

Wol.  Good  lord  chamberlain, 

Go,  give  'em  welcome ;  you  can  speak  the  French 

tongue  j 
And,  pray,  receive  'em  nobly,  and  conduct  'em 
Into  our  presence,  where  this  Iwaven  of  beauty 
Shall  shine  at  full  upon  them.     Some  attend  him.    60 
\Exit  Chamberlain^  attended.     All  rise^ 
and  tables  removed. 
You  have  now  a  broken  banquet ;  but  we  '11  mend  it 
A  good  digestion  to  you  all :  and  once  more 
I  shower  a  welcome  on  ye ;  welcome  all. 

46.   make  my  play,  win  my     was  this  discharge  of  cannon 
game.  that  caused  the  destruction  of 

the  first   Globe  Theatre.     Cf. 
49.  chambers  discharged.     U      Introduction. 

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8c.  IV        King  Henry  the  Eighth 

Hautboys,  Enter  the  King  and  others^  as 
masquers,  habited  like  shepherds^  ushered  by 
the  Lord  Chamberlain.  They  pass  directly 
before  the  Cardinal,  and  gracefully  salute  him, 

A  noble  company !  what  are  their  pleasures  ? 
Cham,  Because  they  speak   no  English,  thus 
they  pray'd 
To  tell  your  grace,  that,  having  heard  by  fame 
Of  this  so  noble  and  so  £ur  assembly 
This  night  to  meet  here,  they  could  do  no  less. 
Out  of  the  great  respect  they  bear  to  beauty. 
But  leave  their  flocks ;  and,  under  your  fair  con- 
duct, 70 
Crave  leave  to  view  these  ladies  and  entreat 
An  hour  of  revels  with  'em. 

WoL  Say,  lord  chamberlain. 

They  have  done  my  poor  house  grace ;  for  which 

I  pay  'em 
A  thousand   thanks,   and    pray   'em   take    their 
pleasures. 

{They  choose  Ladies  for  tlie  dance.     The 
King  chooses  Anne  Bulien, 
King.  The  fairest    hand    I   ever  touched  I     O 
beauty, 
Till  now  I  never  knew  thee !         [Music,     Dance, 
Wol,  My  lord  I 
Cham,       Your  grace? 

WoL  Pray,  tell  'em  thus  much  from  me : 

There  should  be  one  amongst  'em,  by  his  person. 
More  worthy  this  place  than  myself;  to  whom. 
If  I  but  knew  him,  with  my  love  and  duty  80 

I  would  surrender  it 

Cham,  I  will,  my  lord. 

[  Whispers  the  Masquers, 
79.  this  place,  ie.  the  seat  of  honour. 

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King  Henry  the  Eighth       act  i 

Wb/.  What  say  they? 

CAam,  Such  a  one,  they  all  confess, 

There  is  indeed;   which  they  would  have  your 

grace 
Find  out,  and  he  will  take  it. 

IVo/.  Let  me  see,  then. 

By  all  your  good  leaves,  gentlemen;   here  111 

make 
My  royal  choice. 

Xtng,  Ye  have  found  him,  cardinal : 

[l/nmasking. 
You  hold  a  £ur  assembly ;  you  do  weU,  lord  : 
You  are  a  churchman,  or,  I  '11  tell  you,  cardinal, 
I  should  judge  now  unhappily. 

Wi?/,  I  am  glad 

Your  grace  is  grown  so  pleasant. 

^ing.  My  lord  chamberlain,   90 

Prithee,  come  hither :  what  fair  lady 's  that  ? 
Cham.    An't   please  your   grace.   Sir   Thomas 
Bullen's  daughter, — 
The  Viscount  Rochford, — one  of  her  highness' 
women. 
Xing.  By  heaven,  she  is  a  dainty  one.     Sweet- 
heart, 
I  were  unmannerly,  to  take  you  out. 
And  not  to  kiss  you.     A  health,  gentlemen ! 
Let  it  go  round. 

Wo/.  Sir  Thomas  Lovell,  is  the  banquet  ready 
I'  the  privy  chamber  ? 

Zov.  Yes,  my  lord. 

Wo/.  Your  grace, 

I  fear,  with  dancing  is  a  little  heated.  soo 

Xtng.  I  fear,  too  much. 
Wo/.  There 's  fresher  air,  my  lord. 

In  the  next  chamber. 

89.  unhaffifyt  mischievcnisljr. 
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ACT  II       King  Henry  the  Eighth 

King,   Lead  in  your  ladies,  every  one :  sweet 
partner, 
I  must  not  yet  forsake  you  :  let 's  be  merry : 
Good  my  lord  cardinal,  I  have  half  a  dozen  healths 
To  drink  to  these  fair  ladies,  and  a  measure 
To  lead  'em  once  again ;  and  then  let 's  dream 
Who 's  best  in  favour.     Let  the  music  knock  it. 

[Exeunt  with  trumpets. 


ACT   II 

Scene  I.      Westminster.     A  street. 

Enter  two  Gentlemen,  meeting. 

First  Gent.  Whither  away  so  fast  ? 

Su.  Gent.  O,  God  save  ye ! 

Even  to  the  hall,  to  hear  what  shall  become 
Of  the  great  Duke  of  Buckingham. 

First  Gent.  I  '11  save  you 

That  labour,  sir.     All's  now  done,  but  the  cere- 
mony 
Of  bringing  back  the  prisoner. 

Sec.  Gent.  Were  you  there  ? 

First  Gent.  Yes,  indeed,  was  I. 

Su.  Gent.  Pr^y}  speak  what  has  happened. 

First  Gent.  You  may  guess  quickly  what 

Sec.  Gent.  Is  he  found  guilty  ? 

First  Gent.   Yes,  truly  is  he,  and  condemned 
upont 

Sec.  Gent.  I  am  sorry  for 't 

io8.  knock  it,  beat  time.  s.     ike    hall,     Westminster 

5^. /.  By  Fletcher  (Sp.).        Hall 
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King  Henry  the  Eighth       acth 

First  Gent  So  are  a  number  more. 

Sec.  Gent  But,  pray,  how  pass'd  it  ?  lo 

First  Gent,  I  'U  tell  you  in  a  little.     The  great 
duke 
Came  to  the  bar ;  where  to  his  accusations 
He  pleaded  still  not  guilty  and  alleged 
Many  sharp  reasons  to  defeat  the  law. 
The  king's  attorney  on  the  contrary 
Urged  on  the  examinations,  proofs,  confessions 
Of  divers  witnesses ;  which  the  duke  desired 
To  have  brought  vivi  voce  to  his  face : 
At  which  appeared  against  him  his  surveyor ; 
Sir  Gilbert  Peck  his  chancellor ;  and  John  Car         ao 
Confessor  to  him  ;  with  that  devil-monk, 
Hopkins,  that  made  this  mischief. 

Sec,  Gent,  That  was  he 

That  fed  him  with  his  prophecies  ? 

First  Gent,  The  same. 

All  these  accused  him  strongly ;  which  he  fain 
Would  have  flung  from  him,  but,  indeed,  he  could 

not : 
And  so  his  peers,  upon  this  evidence, 
Have  found  him  guilty  of  high  treason.     Much 
He  spoke,  and  learnedly,  for  life ;  but  all 
Was  either  pitied  in  him  or  forgotten. 

Sec,  Gent,  After  all  this,  how  did  he  bear  him- 
self? ^        30 

First  Gent,  When  he  was  brought  again  to'the 
bar,  to  hear 
His  knell  rung  out,  his  judgement,  he  was  stinr'd 
With  such  an  agony,  he  sweat  extremely, 
And  something  spoke  in  choler,  ill,  and  hasty : 

II.  in  a  little,  in  brief,  'in  cal  learning  of  the  lawyer, 
few.  *  39.  pitiedor forgotten^  aroused 

17.  wkUht  Le.  the  witnesses,  merely  ineffectual  pity  or  passed 

28.  /^ar«^<//Vi  with  the  techni-  altogether  unbccdod. 

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$C.  I 


King  Henry  the  Eighth 


But  he  fell  to  himself  agam,  and  sweetly 
In  all  the  rest  shoVd  a  most  noble  patience. 

Sec,  Gent  I  do  not  think  he  fears  death. 

Mrst  Gent  Sure,  he  does  not : 

He  never  was  so  womanish ;  the  cause 
He  may  a  little  grieve  at. 

Sec,  Gent  Certainly 

The  cardinal  is  the  end  of  this. 

J^rst  Gent  Tis  likely,  40 

By  all  conjectures  :  first,  Kildare's  attainder, 
Then  deputy  of  Ireland ;  who  removed, 
Elarl  Surrey  was  sent  thither,  and  in  haste  too. 
Lest  he  should  help  his  father. 

Sec,  Gent  That  trick  of  state 

Was  a  deep  envious  one. 

J*irst  Gent  At  his  return 

No  doubt  he  will  requite  it.     This  is  noted. 
And  generally,  whoever  the  king  favours. 
The  cardinal  instantly  will  find  employment. 
And  far  enough  from  court  too. 

Sec.  Gent  All  the  commons 

Hate  him  perniciously,  and,  o'  my  conscience,  50 

Wish  him  ten  fathom  deep :  this  duke  as  much 
They  love   and   dote  on;    call   him   bounteous 

Buckingham, 
The  mirror  of  all  courtesy  ;— 

First  Gent  Stay  there,  sir. 

And  see  the  noble  ruin'd  man  you  speak  of. 

39.  grieve  at,  fed  resentment     of  Kildare,  had  been  recalled 
against  from  the  Deputyship  of  Ireland 

40.  tAe  end.  the  bottom,  the     ^   i^^"";    ^^a^  k!"^  T?^ 
prime  mover.  Buckmgham  s  daughter,  Katha- 
rine Stafford. 

41.  Kildan;  Fitzgerald,  Earl         45.  ewuums,  malicious. 


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King  Henry  the  Eighth       act  n 

Enter  Buckingham  from  his  arraignment;  tip- 
staves before  him ;  the  axe  with  the  edge 
towards  him;  halberds  on  each  side:  accom- 
panied with  Sir  Thomas  Lovell,  Sir  Nicho- 
las Vaux,  Sir  William  Sands,  and  common 
people. 

Sec,  Gent,  Let 's  stand  close,  and  behold  him. 

Buck,  All  good  people, 

You  that  thus  far  have  come  to  pity  me, 
Hear  what  I  say,  and  then  go  home  and  lose  me. 
I  have  this  day  received  a  traitor's  judgement. 
And  by  that  name  must  die:  yet,  heaven  bear 

witness, 
And  if  I  have  a  conscience,  let  it  sink  me,  60 

Even  as  the  axe  falls,  if  I  be  not  faithful ! 
The  law  I  bear  no  malice  for  my  death ; 
'T  has  done,  upon  the  premises,  but  justice : 
But  those  that  sought  it  I  could  wish  more  Christians  : 
Be  what  they  will,  I  heartily  forgive  'em : 
Yet  let  'em  look  they  glory  not  in  mischief. 
Nor  build  their  evils  on  the  graves  of  great  men ; 
For  then  my  guiltless  blood  must  cry  against  'em. 
For  further  life  in  this  world  I  ne'er  hope. 
Nor  will  I  sue,  although  the  king  have  mercies         70 
More  than  I   dare  make  faults.     You   few  that 

loved  me. 
And  dare  be  bold  to  weep  for  Buckingham, 
His  noble  friends  and  fellows,  whom  to  leave 
Is  only  bitter  to  him,  only  dying. 
Go  with  me,  like  good  angels,  to  my  end ; 
And,  as  the  long  divorce  of  steel  falls  on  me, 

54.  Sir  William  Sands;   so  74.  only,  alone. 

HoUnshed.    Ff  have  •  (Sir)  Wal-  76.  the  long  divorce  of  steel, 

ter  Sands. '  the  body  -  and  -  soul  -  divorcing 

57.  lose,  foTgeX.  axe.  ('Divorce' is,  as  often,  con- 

67.  ^/f,  privies.  Crete = instrument  of  divorce). 

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sc.  I         King  Henry  the  Eighth 

Make  of  your  prayers  one  sweet  sacrifice, 
And  lift  my  soul  to  heaven.     Lead  on,  o'  God's 
name. 

Lov.  I  do  beseech  your  grace,  for  charity. 
If  ever  any  malice  in  your  heart  80 

Were  hid  against  me,  now  to  forgive  me  frankly. 

Buck,  Sir  Thomas  Lovell,  I  as  free  forgive  you 
As  I  would  be  forgiven :  I  forgive  all ; 
There  cannot  be  those  numberless  offences 
'Gainst  me,  that  I  cannot  take  peace  with :  no 

black  envy 
Shall  mark  my  grave.     Commend  me  to  his  grace ; 
And,  if  he  speak  of  Buckingham,  pray,  tell  him 
You  met  him  half  in  heaven  :  my  vows  and  prayers 
Yet  are  the  king's ;  and,  till  my  soul  forsake. 
Shall  cry  for  blessings  on  him :  may  he  live  90 

Longer  than  I  have  time  to  tell  his  years ! 
Ever  beloved  and  loving  may  his  rule  be ! 
And  when  old  time  shall  lead  him  to  his  end. 
Goodness  and  he  fill  up  one  monument ! 

Lov.  To  the  water  side  I  must  conduct  your  grace 
Then  give  my  charge  up  to  Sir  Nicholas  Vaux, 
Who  undertakes  you  to  your  end. 

Vaux,  Prepare  there. 

The  duke  is  coming :  see  the  barge  be  ready ; 
And  fit  it  with  such  furniture  as  suits 
The  greatness  of  his  person. 

Buck,  Nay,  Sir  Nicholas,    xoo 

Let  it  alone ;  my  state  now  will  but  mock  me. 
When  I  came  hither,  I  was  lord  high  constable 
And  Duke  of  Buckingham;   now,  poor  Edward 
Bohun : 

99.    furniture,      equipment.  103.     Edward   Bohun.      So 

Holinshed  speaks  of  '  cushions  Holinshed.  The  duke  was  de- 
and  carpet'  on  which  Lovell  scended  from  the  Bohuns,  but  his 
desired  the  duke  to  sit  down.  ovm  family  name  was  Stafford. 

VOL.  VII  193  O 


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King  Henry  the  Eighth       acth 

Yet  I  am  richer  than  my  base  accusers, 

That  never  knew  what  truth  meant :  I  now  seal  it ; 

And  with  that  blood  will  make  'em  one  day  groan 

for't 
My  noble  father,  Henry  of  Buckingham, 
Who  first  raised  head  against  usurping  Richard, 
Flying  for  ^ccour  to  his  servant  Banister, 
Being  distressed,  was  by  that  wretch  betray'd,  no 

And  without  trial  fell ;  God's  peace  be  with  him  ! 
Henry  the  Seventh  succeeding,  truly  pitying 
My  father's  loss,  like  a  most  royal  prince, 
Restored  me  to  my  honours,  and,  out  of  ruins. 
Made  my  name  once  more  noble.     Now  his  son, 
Henry  the  Eighth,  life,  honour^  name  and  all 
That  made  me  happy  at  one  stroke  has  taken 
For  ever  from  the  world.     I  had  my  trial. 
And,  must  needs  say,  a  noble  one ;  which  makes 

me 
A  little  happier  than  my  wretched  father :  zao 

Yet  thus  far  we  are  one  in  fortunes :  both 
Fell  by  our  servants,  by  those  men  we  loved  most, 
A  most  unnatural  and  faithless  service ! 
Heaven  has  an  end  in  all :  yet,  you  that  hear  me. 
This  from  a  dying  man  receive  as  certain : 
Where  you  are  liberal  of  your  loves  and  counsels 
Be  sure  you  be  not  loose;  for  those  you  make 

friends 
And  give  your  hearts  to,  when  they  once  perceive 
The  least  rub  in  your  fortunes,  fall  away 
Like  water  from  ye,  never  found  again  130 

But  where  they  mean  to  sink  ye.     All  good  people. 
Pray  for  me !  I  must  now  forsake  ye :  the  last  hour 

106.  thai  blood,  thfi  blood  in  armed  force, 
which  I  now  seal  (attest)  my         119.  noble,  i.e.  he  was  tried 

truth.  by  his  peers.     Cf.  ii.  3.  92. 

X08.  raised  headt  leried  an         139.  rub,  check,  hitch. 

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sc.  I        King  Henry  the  Eighth 

Of  my  long  weary  life  is  come  upon  me. 
Farewell : 

And  when  you  would  say  something  that  is  sad, 
Speak  how  I  fell.     I  have  done ;  and  God  forgive 
me !  [Exeunf  Duke  and  Train. 

First  Gent  O,  this  is  full  of  pity !  Sir,  it  calls, 
I  fear,  too  many  curses  on  their  heads 
That  were  the  authors. 

Sec.  Gent  If  the  duke  be  guiltless, 

Tis  full  of  woe  :  yet  I  can  give  you  inkling 
Of  an  ensuing  evil,  if  it  fall, 
Greater  than  this. 

First  Gent.  Good  angels  keep  it  from  us ! 

What  may  it  be?     You  do  not  doubt  my  faith, 
sir? 

Sec,  Gent.  This  secret  is  so  weighty,  'twill  require 
A  strong  faith  to  conceal  it. 

First  Gent.  Let  me  have  it ; 

I  do  not  talk  much. 

Sec.  Gent.  I  am  confident ; 

You  shall,  sir :  did  you  not  of  late  days  hear 
A  buzzing  of  a  separation 
Between  the  king  and  ELatharine  ? 

First  Gent.  Yes,  but  it  held  not : 

For  when  the  king  once  heard  it,  out  of  anger 
He  sent  command  to  the  lord  mayor  straight 
To  stop  the  rumour,  and  allay  those  tongues 
That  durst  disperse  it 

Sec.  Gent.  But  that  slander,  sir. 

Is  found  a  truth  now :  for  it  grows  again 
Fresher  than  e'er  it  was ;  and  held  for  certain 
The  king  will  venture  at  it     Either  the  cardinal, 
Or  some  about  him  near,  have,  out  of  malice 

143.  yWA,  good  fjEuth,  secrecy.  148.  ^xn'x^,  whisper. 

246.    am  confident^  put  my 
confidence  in  you.  153.  allay,  restrain. 

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King  Henry  the  Eighth       act  n 

To  the  good  queen,  possessed  him  with  a  scruple 
That  will  undo  her :  to  confirm  this  too, 
Cardinal  Campeius  is  arrived,  and  lately ;  i6o 

As  all  think,  for  this  business. 

J^st  Gent  Tis  the  cardinal ; 

And  merely  to  revenge  him  on  the  emperor 
For  not  bestowing  on  him,  at  his  asking, 
The  archbishopric  of  Toledo,  this  is  purposed 

Sec.  Gent.  I  think  you  have  hit  the  mark :  but 
is 't  not  cruel 
That  she  should  feel  the  smart  of  this?     The 

cardinal 
Will  have  his  will,  and  she  must  fall 

Mrst  Gent.  Tis  wofiiL 

We  are  too  open  here  to  argue  this ; 
Let 's  think  in  private  more.  [Exeunt 


Scene  II.     An  ante-chamber  in  the  palace. 

Enter  the  Lord  Chamberlain,  reading 
a  letter. 

Cham.  *  My  lord,  the  horses  your  lordship  sent 
for,  with  all  the  care  I  had,  I  saw  well  chosen, 
ridden,  and  furnished.  They  were  young  and 
handsome,  and  of  the  best  breed  in  the  north. 
When  they  were  ready  to  set  out  for  London,  a 
man  of  my  lord  cardinal's,  by  commission  and 
main  power,  took  'em  from  me ;  with  this  reason : 
His  master  would  be  served  before  a  subject,  if 
not  before  the  king;  which  stopped  our  mouths, 
sir.'  lo 

1 68.  argue t  discuss.  6.    by  commission  and  main 

power,  in  virtue  of  a  warrant  and 
Sc.  2,  By  Fletcher  (Sp.).        by  means  of  main  force. 
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sc.  II        King  Henry  the  Eighth 

I  fear  he  will  indeed :  well,  let  him  have  them : 
He  will  have  all,  I  think. 

Enter^  to  the  Lord  Chamberlain,  the  Dukes 
OF  Norfolk  and  Suffolk. 

Nor,  Well  met,  my  lord  chamberlain. 

Cham.  Good  day  to  both  your  graces. 

Suf,  How  is  the  king  emplo/d  ? 

Cham.  I  left  him  private, 

Full  of  sad  thoughts  and  troubles. 

Nor.  What 's  the  cause  ? 

Cham.  It  seems  the  marriage  with  his  brother's 
wife 
Has  crept  too  near  his  conscience. 

Suf,  No,  his  conscience 

Has  crept  too  near  another  lady. 

Nor.  'Tis  so : 

This  is  the  cardinal's  doing,  the  king-cardinal :         ao 
That  blind  priest,  like  the  eldest  son  of  fortune, 
Turns  what  he  list.     The  king  will  know  him  one 
day. 

Suf.  Pray  God  he  do !  he  '11  never  know  him- 
self else. 

Nor.  How  holily  he  works  in  all  his  business  ! 

And  with  what  zeal !  for,  now  he  has  crack'd  the 

league 

Between  us  and  the  emperor,  the  queen's  great 

nephew, 

He  dives  into  the  king's  soul,  and  there  scatters 

Dangers,  doubts,  wringing  of  the  conscience, 

Fears,  and  despairs ;  and  all  these  for  his  marriage : 

And  out  of  all  these  to  restore  the  king,  30 

He  counsels  a  divorce ;  a  loss  of  her 

That,  like  a  jewel,  has  hung  twenty  years 

21.   That   blind  priest^   etc.      and  like  Fortune  herself  disposes 
Wolsey  is  Fortune's  favourite,      blindly  of  human  affairs. 

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King  Henry  the  Eighth       act  n 

About  his  neck,  yet  never  lost  her  lustre ; 
Of  her  that  loves  him  with  that  excellence 
That  angels  love  good  men  with ;  even  of  her 
That,  when  the  greatest  stroke  of  fortune  falls, 
Will  bless  the  king :  and  is  not  this  course  pious  ? 

Cham,   Heaven  keep  me  from  such  counsel! 
Tis  most  true 
These  news  are  every  where ;  every  tongue  speaks 

'em, 
And  every  true  heart  weeps  for 't :  all  that  dare        40 
Look  into  these  affairs  see  this  main  end, 
The  French  king's  sister.     Heaven  will  one  day 

open 
The  king's  eyes,  that  so  long  have  slept  upon 
This  bold  bad  man. 

Suf,  And  free  us  from  his  slavery. 

Nor,  We  had  need  pray. 
And  heartily,  for  our  deliverance ; 
Or  this  imperious  man  will  work  us  all 
From  princes  into  pages :  all  men's  honours 
Lie  like  one  lump  before  him,  to  be  fashion'd 
Into  what  pitch  he  please. 

Suf.  For  me,  my  lords,  50 

I  love  him  not,  nor  fear  him ;  there 's  my  creed  : 
As  I  am  made  without  him,  so  I  '11  stand, 
If  the  king  please ;  his  curses  and  his  blessings 
Touch  me  alike,  they  're  breath  I  not  believe  in. 
I  knew  him,  and  I  know  him ;  so  I  leave  him 
To  him  that  made  him  proud  the  pope. 

Nor.  Let 's  in ; 

42.   The  French  kin^s  sister^  ever  (October  1528),   she  had 

Margaret,  Duchess  of  Alen9on,  been    married    for   nearly   two 

more  celebrated    as  Queen  of  years  to  Henry  of  Navarre. 
Navarre.    Holinshed  reports  the  ,  .^    .       ._        wi-  j  . 

tradition     that     Wolsey     had         43-  J^' «i*^.  been  bhnd  to 

planned  this  maniage.     At  the  ^®  ^^^^^  °^- 
time  of  Campeggio's  visit,  how-         50.  fitch,  height 

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sc.  II        King  Henry  the  Eighth 

And  with  some  other  business  put  the  king 
From  these  sad  thoughts,  that  work  too  much  upon 

him: 
My  lord,  you  '11  bear  us  company  ? 

ChatiK  Excuse  me ; 

The  king  has  sent  me  otherwhere :  besides, 
You  '11  ind  a  most  unfit  time  to  disturb  him : 
Health  to  your  lordships. 

Nor.  Thanks,  my  good  lord  chamberlain. 

\Eont  Lord   Chamberlain ;  and  the  King 

draws  the  curtaiti^  and  sits  reading 

pensively, 

Suf,    How  sad  he  looks!    sure,  he  is   much 

afflicted. 
King,  Who 's  there,  ha  ? 
Nor.  Pray  God  he  be  not  angry. 

King,  Who's  there,  I  say?      How  dare  you 
thrust  yourselves 
Into  my  private  meditations  ? 
Who  am  I?  ha? 

Nor.  A  gracious  king  that  pardons  all  offences 
Malice  ne'er  meant :  our  breach  of  duty  this  way 
Is  business  of  estate ;  in  which  we  come 
To  know  your  royal  pl^isure. 

King,  Ye  are  too  bold : 

Go  to ;  1 11  make  ye  know  your  times  of  business : 
Is  this  an  hour  for  temporal  affairs,  Jia  ? 

Enter  Wolsey  and  Campeius,  with  a  com- 
mission,. 

Who's  there?   my  good  lord  cardinal?     O  my 

Wolsey, 
The  quiet  of  my  wounded  conscience ; 
Thou  art  a  cure  fit  for  a   king.      \To    Camp.] 

You  're  welcome, 
Most  learned  reverend  sir,  into  our  kingdom : 
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King  Henry  the  Eighth       act  n 

Use  us  and  it     [To  WoL'\  My  good  lord,  have 

great  care 
I  be  not  found  a  talker. 

WoL  Sir,  you  cannot. 

I  would  your  grace  would  give  us  but  an  hour         so 
Of  private  conference. 

King,  [To  Nor,  and  Suf!\  We  are  busy ;  go. 
Nor,  [Aside  to  Suf?^  This  priest  has  no  pride 

in  him  ? 
Suf,  [Aside  to  Nor.]  Not  to  speak  of: 
I  would  not  be  so  sick  though  for  his  place : 
But  this  cannot  continue. 

Nor.         [Aside  to  Su/.]  If  it  do, 
I  '11  venture  one  have-at-him. 

Suf.  [Aside  to  Nor.]  I  another. 

[Exeunt  Nor.  and  Suf. 
Wol.    Your  grace  has  given  a  precedent  of 
wisdom 
Above  all  princes,  in  committing  freely 
Your  scruple  to  the  voice  of  Christendom : 
Who  can  be  angry  now  ?  what  envy  reach  you  ? 
The  Spaniard,  tied  by  blood  and  favour  to  her,        90 
Must  now  confess,  if  they  have  any  goodness. 
The  trial  just  and  noble.     All  the  clerks, 
I  qiean  the  learned  ones,  in  Christian  kingdoms 
Have  their  free  voices  :  Rome,  the  nurse  of  judge- 
ment, * 
Invited  by  your  noble  self,  hath  sent 
One  general  tongue  unto  us,  this  good  man. 
This  just  and  learned  priest,  Cardinal  Campeius ; 
Whom  once  more  I  present  unto  your  highness. 
King.  And  once  more  in  mine  arms  I  bid  him 
welcome, 

83.     iick,     consumed     with  94.  Have  their  free    voices^ 

pride.  can    speak   their    opinion    un- 

85.  have-at-him,  assault  restrained. 

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sc.  II        King  Henry  the  Eighth 

And  thank  the  holy  conclave  for  their  loves :  loo 

They  have  sent  me  such  a  man  I  would  have 

wish'd  for. 
Cam,     Your   grace   must    needs   deserve   all 

strangers'  loves, 
You  are  so  noble.     To  your  highness'  hand 
I  tender  my  commission ;  by  whose  virtue, 
The  court  of  Rome  commanding,  you,  my  lord 
Cardinal  of  York,  are  join'd  with  me  their  servant 
In  the  unpardal  judging  of  this  business. 

King,    Two  equal  men.     The  queen  shall  be 

acquainted 
Forthwith  for  what  you  come.     Where 's  Gardiner? 

WoL  I  know  your  majesty  has  always  loved  her  no 
So  dear  in  heart,  not  to  deny  her  that 
A  woman  of  less  place  might  ask  by  law : 
Scholars  alloVd  freely  to  argue  for  her. 

King,  Ay,  and  the  best  she  shall  have ;  and  my 

favour 
To  him  that  does  best :  God  forbid  else.    Cardinal, 
Prithee,  call  Gardiner  to  me,  my  new  secretary : 
I  find  him  a  fit  fellow.  \E3dt  Wohey, 

Re-enter  Wolsey,  with  Gardiner. 

Wol,    [Aside  to  Gard.]  Give  me  your  hand: 
much  joy  and  favour  to  you ; 
You  are  the  king's  now. 

Gard.  [Aside  to  Wol!\  But  to  be  commanded 
For  ever  by  your  grace,  whose  hand  has  raised  me.  xa© 
King,  Come  hither,  Gardiner. 

[  Walks  and  whispers. 
Cam,  My  Lord  of  York,  was  not  one  Doctor 
Pace 
In  this  man's  place  before  him  ? 

Wol,  Yes,  he  was. 

Cam,  Was  he  not  held  a  learned  man  ? 
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King  Henry  the  Eighth       act  n 

Wol.  Yes,  surely. 

Cam,  Believe  me,  there 's  an  ill  opinion  spread 
then 
Even  of  yourself,  lord  cardinal. 

Wol,  How!  of  me? 

Cam,  They  will  not  stick  to  say  you  envied  him. 
And  fearing  he  would  rise,  he  was  so  virtuous. 
Kept  him  a  foreign  man  still;  which  so  grieved 

him, 
That  he  ran  mad  and  died. 

Wol,  Heaven's  peace  be  with  him  !  130 

That 's  Christian  care  enough  :  for  living  murmurers 
There 's  places  of  rebuke.     He  was  a  fool ; 
For  he  would  needs  be  virtuous :  that  good  fellow. 
If  I  command  him,  follows  my  appointment : 
I  will  have  none  so  near  else.     Learn  this,  brother. 
We  live  not  to  be  grip'd  by  meaner  persons. 

King,  Deliver  this  with  modesty  to  the  queea 

[Exit  Gardiner, 
The  most  convenient  place  that  I  can  think  of 
For  such  receipt  of  learning  is  Black-Friars ; 
There  ye  shall  meet  about  this  weighty  business.     140 
My  Wolsey,  see  it  fumish'd.     O,  my  lord. 
Would  it  not  grieve  an  able  man  to  leave 
So   sweet  a   bedfellow?    But,   conscience,   con- 

science ! 
O,  'tis  a  tender  place ;  and  I  must  leave  her. 

[Exeunt, 

129.  Kept  him  a  foreign  man  139.  such  receipt  of  learning, 

still,  employed  him  continually  the  reception  of  such  learning, 
on  foreign  embassies,  '  and  the         142.  able,  in  the  vigour  of  his 

same  oftentimes  not  necessary '  prime. 
(HoUnshed). 


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8c.  Ill       King  Henry  the  Eighth 


Scene  III.     An  ante-chamber  of  the  Queen's 
apartments. 

Enter  Anne  Bullen  and  an  Old  Lady. 

Anne,    Not  for  that  neither:    herei's  the  pang 
that  pinches : 
His  highness  having  lived  so  long  with  her,  and 

she 
So  good  a  lady  that  no  tongue  could  ever 
Pronounce  dishonour  of  her ;  by  my  life, 
She  never  knew  harm-doing  :  O,  now,  after 
So  many  courses  of  the  sun  enthroned, 
Still  growing  in  a  majesty  and  pomp,  the  which 
To  leave  a  thousand-fold  more  bitter  than 
'Tis  sweet  at  first  to  acquire, — ^after  this  process, 
To  give  her  the  avaunt !  it  is  a  pity  xo 

Would  move  a  monster. 

Old  L,  Hearts  of  most  hard  temper 

Melt  and  lament  for  her. 

Anne,  O,  God's  will !  much  better 

She  ne'er  had  known  pomp:  though 't  be  temporal, 
Yet,  if  that  quarrel,  fortune,  do  divorce 
It  from  the  bearer,  'tis  a  sufferance  panging 
As  soul  and  body's  severing. 

Old  L,  Alas,  poor  lady  ! 

She 's  a  stranger  now  again. 

Anne,  So  much  the  more 

Must  pity  drop  upon  her.     Verily, 
I  swear,  'tis  better  to  be  lowly  bom. 
And  range  with  humble  livers  in  content,  ao 

Than  to  be  perk'd  up  in  a  glistering  grief, 

14.  ^»arr^/ (abstract  for  con-  17.  stranger^  alien. 
Crete),  quarreller.  20.  range,  be  ranked. 

15.  paring,  causing  such  a  21.  perKd   up,   dressed  up, 
pang.  adorned. 

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King  Henry  the  Eighth       acth 

And  wear  a  golden  sorrow. 

Old  Z.  Our  content 

Is  our  best  having. 

Anne.  By  my  troth  and  maidenhead, 

I  would  not  be  a  queen. 

Old  L.  Beshrew  me,  I  would, 

And  venture  maidenhead  for 't ;  and  so  would  you, 
For  all  this  spice  of  your  hypocrisy : 
You,  that  have  so  fair  parts  of  woman  on  you, 
Have  too  a  woman's  heart ;  which  ever  yet 
Affected  eminence,  wealth,  sovereignty ; 
Which,  to  say  sooth,  are  blessings;   and  which 

gifts,  30 

Saving  your  mincing,  the  capacity 
Of  your  soft  cheveril  conscience  would  receive, 
If  you  might  please  to  stretch  it. 

Anne.  Nay,  good  troth. 

Old  L.  Yes,  troth,  and  troth ;  you  would  not 
be  a  queen  ? 

Anne.  No,  not  for  all  the  riches  under  heaven. 

Old  Z.  'Tis  strange :  a  three-pence  bow'd  would 
hire  me. 
Old  as  I  am,  to  queen  it :  but,  I  pray  you, 
What  think  you  of  a  duchess  ?  have  you  limbs 
To  bear  that  load  of  title  ? 

Anne.  No,  in  truth. 

Old  Z.  Then  you  are  weakly  made :  pluck  off 
a  little ;  40 

I  would  not  be  a  young  count  in  your  way, 
For  more  than  blushing  comes  to :  if  your  back 
Cannot  vouchsafe  this  burthen,  'tis  too  weak 
Ever  to  get  a  boy. 

23.  having,  possession.  ference  to  ratifying  an  agreement 

32.     cheveril,  like  kid-skin,      with  a  bent  coin. 

pliable,  elastic.  40.  pluck  of  a   little;    i.e. 

36.  a  three-pence  bow'd,  a  bent      instead  of    '  duchess '   suppose 

three-pence  ;    probably  with  re-      '  countess. ' 
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8c.  Ill       King  Henry  the  Eighth 

Anne.  How  you  do  talk ! 

I  swear  again,  I  would  not  be  a  queen 
For  all  the  world. 

Old  L.  In  faith,  for  little  England 

You  Id  venture  an  emballing :  I  myself 
Would  for  Carnarvonshire,  although  there  long'd 
No  more  to  the  crown  but  that.     Lo,  who  comes 
here? 


Enter  the  Lord  Chamberlain. 

Cham,    Good   morrow,    ladies.     What   were't 
worth  to  know  5© 

The  secret  of  your  conference  ? 

Anne,  My  good  lord, 

Not  your  demand ;  it  values  not  your  asking  : 
Our  mistress'  sorrows  we  were  pitying. 

Cham.  It  was  a  gentle  business,  and  becoming 
The  action  of  good  women  :  there  is  hope 
All  will  be  well. 

Anne,  Now,  I  pray  God,  amen  ! 

Cham,  You  bear  a  gentle  mind,  and  heavenly 
blessings 
Follow  such  creatures.     That  you  may,  fair  lady, 
Perceive  I  speak  sincerely,  and  high  note's 
Ta'en  of  your  many  virtues,  the  king's  majesty         60 
Commends  his  good  opinion  of  you,  and 
Does  purpose  honour  to  you  no  less  flowing 
Than  Marchioness  of  Pembroke ;  to  which  title 

46.  littU  England ;  probably  48.  Carnarvonshire ;  as  a 
a  covert  allusion  to  Pembroke-  mountainous  and  barren  country 
shire,  which  was  known  as  'little  of  little  value  (an  antithesis  to 
England  beyond  Wales. '  the  fertilising  •  mud  in  Eg3rpt  * 

47.  emballing^  investment  below,  v.  92,  as  well  as,  probably, 
with  the  ball ;  one  of  the  insignia  to  the  cultivated  '  little  England ' 
of  royalty,  used  with  the  sceptre     above). 

and  crown  at  the  coronation.  52.  values  not,  is  not  worth. 

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King  Henry  the  Eighth       act  n 

A  thousand  pound  a  year,  annual  support, 
Out  of  his  grace  he  adds. 

Anne,  I  do  not  know 

What  kind  of  my  obedience  I  should  tender ; 
More  than  my  all  is  nothing :  nor  my  prayers 
Are  not  words  duly  hallowed,  nor  my  wishes 
More  worth  than  empty  vanities ;  yet  prayers  and 

wishes 
Are  all  I  can  return.     Beseech  your  lordship,  70 

Vouchsafe  to  speak  my  thanks  and  my  obedience, 
As  from  a  blushing  handmaid,  to  his  highness ; 
Whose  health  and  royalty  I  pray  for. 

Cham,  Lady, 

I  shall  not  fail  to  approve  the  fair  conceit 
The  king  hath  of  you.     [Aside]  I  have  perused 

her  well ; 
Beauty  and  honour  in  her  are  so  mingled 
That  they  have  caught  the  king  :  and  who  knows 

yet 
But  from  this  lady  may  proceed  a  gem 
To  lighten  all  this  isle  ?     I  '11  to  the  king, 
And  say  I  spoke  with  you. 

[Exit  Lord  Chamberlain, 

Anne,  My  honoured  lord.         8© 

Old  L,  Why,  this  it  is  ;  see,  see  I 
I  have  been  begging  sixteen  years  in  court. 
Am  yet  a  courtier  beggarly,  nor  could 
Come  pat  betwixt  too  early  and  too  late 
For  any  suit  of  pounds ;  and  you,  O  fate ! 
A  very  fresh-fish  here— -fie,  fie,  fie  upon 
This  compeird  fortune  ! — have  your  mouth  fiU'd  up 
Before  you  open  it 

Anne,  This  is  strange  to  me. 

^^.  Come,  pat  betwixt  too  early     any  petition. 
and  too  late  for  any  suit,  hit  the         87.    compell'd,   thrust    upon 
right    moment    for    presenting     you. 

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8c.  Ill      King  Henry  the  Eighth 

Old  L,    How   tastes   it?    is   it   bitter?    forty 
pence,  no. 
There  was  a  lady  once,  'tis  an  old  story,  90 

That  would  not  be  a  queen,  that  would  she  not. 
For  all  the  mud  in  Egypt :  have  you  heard  it  ? 

Anne,  Come,  you  are  pleasant. 

Old  Z.  With  your  theme,  I  could 

O'ermount  the  lark.     The  Marchioness  of  Pem- 
broke ! 
A  thousand  pounds  a  year  for  pure  respect ! 
No  other  obligation  !     By  my  life, 
That  promises  moe  thousands :  honour's  train 
Is  longer  than  his  foreskirt     By  this  time 
I  know  your  back  will  bear  a  duchess  :  say. 
Are  you  not  stronger  than  you  were  ? 

Anne.  Good  lady,  xoo 

Make  yourself  mirth  with  your  particular  fancy, 
And  leave  me  out  on 't     Would  I  had  no  being, 
If  this  salute  my  blood  a  jot :  it  faints  me. 
To  think  what  follows. 
The  queen  is  comfortless,  and  we  forgetful 
In  our  long  absence :  pray,  do  not  deliver 
What  here  you  've  heard  to  her. 

Old  Z.  What  do  you  think  me  ? 

[Exeunt 

89.  forty  pence;  a  common  103.      salute^    quicken,    ex- 

wager,  hilarate. 

xox.  particular^  own. 


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King  Henry  the  Eighth       act  n 


Scene  IV.     A  kali  in  Black-Friars. 

Trumpets^  sennet^  and  cornets.  Enter  two 
Vergers,  with  short  silver  wands;  next  theniy 
two  Scribes,  in  the  habit  of  doctors ;  after 
them^  the  Archbishop  of  Canterbury  cUone; 
after  him^  the  Bishops  of  Lincoln,  Ely, 
Rochester,  and  Saint  Asaph  ;  next  thetn^ 
with  some  small  distance^  follows  a  Gentleman 
bearing  the  purse,  with  the  great  seal,  and  a 
cardinaVs  hat ;  then  two  Priests,  bearing  each 
a  silver  cross;  then  a  Gentleman-usher  bare- 
headed, accompanied  with  a  Seigeant-at-arms 
bearing  a  silver  mace ;  then  two  Gentlemen 
bearing  two  great  silver  pillars ;  after  them, 
side  by  side,  the  two  Cardinals  ;  two  Noble- 
men with  the  sword  and  mace.  The  King 
takes  place  under  the  cloth  of  state;  the  two 
Cardinals  sit  under  him  as  judges.  The 
Queen  takes  place  some  distance  from  the 
King.  The  Bishops  place  themselves  on  each 
side  the  court,  in  manner  of  a  consistory ; 
below  them,  the  Scribes.  The  Lords  sit  next 
the  Bishops.  The  rest  of  the  Attendants  stand 
in  convenient  order  about  the  stage. 

WoL  Whilst   our  commission   from   Rome   is 
read, 
Let  silence  be  commanded. 

King.  What 's  the  need  ? 

It  hath  already  publicly  been  read, 

Sc.  4,  two  silver  pillars ;  i\iG  of    cardinal.         Wolsey     was 

insignia    of   a  cardinal.      The  commonly    attended     by    two 

pillar,    with   the  hat   and    the  'pillar-bearers.* 
habit,  were  the  official  insignia 

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8c.  TV       King  Henry  the  Eighth 

And  on  all  sides  the  authority  allowed ; 
You  may,  then,  spare  that  time. 

Wo/.  Be'tso.     Proceed. 

Scribe,  Say,  Henry  King  of  England,  come  into 
the  court. 

Crier,  Henry  King  of  England,  etc 

King.  Here. 

Scribe.  Say,  Katharine  Queen  of  England,  come   » 
into  the  court. 

Crier.  Katharine  Queen  of  England,  etc. 

[77ie  Queen  makes  no  answer^  rises  out 
of  her  chair^  goes  about  the  court, 
comes  to  the  King,  and  kneels  at  his 
feet ;  then  speaks. 

Q.  Kath.  Sir,  I  desire  you  do  me  right  and 
justice ; 
And  to  bestow  your  pity  on  me :  for 
I  am  a  most  poor  woman,  and  a  stranger. 
Bom  out  of  your  dominions ;  having  here 
No  judge  indifferent,  nor  no  more  assurance 
Of  equal  friendship  and  proceeding.     Alas,  sir. 
In  what  have  I  offended  you  ?  what  cause 
Hath  my  behaviour  given  to  your  displeasure,  ao 

That  thus  you  should  proceed  to  put  me  off, 
And  take  your  good  grace  from  me?     Heaven 

witness, 
I  have  been  to  you  a  true  and  humble  wife. 
At  all  times  to  your  will  conformable ; 
Ever  in  fear  to  kindle  your  dislike, 
Yea,  subject  to  your  countenance,  glad  or  sorry 
As  I  saw  it  inclined  :  when  was  the  hour 
I  ever  contradicted  your  desire, 
Or  made  it  not  mine  too?     Or  which  of  your 

friends 
Have  I  not  strove  to  love,  although  I  knew  30 

17.  indifferent,  impartial. 
VOL.  VII  209  P 


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King  Henry  the  Eighth       act  u 

He  were  mine  enemy  ?  what  friend  of  mine 

That  had  to  him  derived  your  anger,  did  I 

Continue  in  my  liking  ?  nay,  gave  notice 

He  was  from  thence  discharged  ?    Sir,  call  to  mind 

That  I  have  been  your  wife,  in  this  obedience. 

Upward  of  twenty  years,  and  have  been  blest 

With  many  children  by  you :  i^  in  the  course 

And  process  of  this  time,  you  can  report. 

And  prove  it  too,  against  mine  honour  aught. 

My  bond  to  wedlock,  or  my  love  and  duty,  40 

Against  your  sacred  person,  in  God's  name. 

Turn  me  away ;  and  let  the  fouFst  contempt 

Shut  door  upon  me,  and  so  give  me  up 

To  the  sharpest  kind  of  justice.     Please  you,  sir. 

The  king,  your  father,  was  reputed  for 

A  prince  most  prudent,  of  an  excellent 

And  unmatched  wit  and  judgement :  Ferdinand, 

My  father,  king  of  Spain,  was  reckcm'd  one 

The  wisest  prince  that  there  had  reign'd  by  many 

A  year  before  :  it  is  not  to  be  questioned  50 

That  they  had  gathered  a  wise  council  to  them 

Of  every  realm,  that  did  debate  this  business. 

Who  deem'd  our  marriage  lawful :    wherefore  I 

humbly 
Beseech  you,  sir,  to  spare  me,  till  I  may 
Be  by  my  friends  in  Spain  advised ;  whose  counsel 
I  will  implore :  if  not,  i'  the  name  of  God, 
Your  pleasure  be  fulfilled ! 

IVo/,  You  have  here,  lady, 

And  of  your  choice,  these  reverend  fathers ;  men 
Of  singular  integrity  and  learning, 
Yea,  the  elect  o'  the  land,  who  are  assembled  do 

^2,  to  him  derived  your  anger,      wisest  (an  obsolescent  partitive 
drawn  it  upon  himsdf.  construction).       Holinshed  has 

the  more  current  form,  •  one  of 
48,  one  the  wisest,  one  of  the     the  wittiest  princes.' 
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9c.  IV       King  Henry  the  Eighth 

To  plead  your  cause :  it  shall  be  therefore  bootless 
That  longer  you  desire  the  court ;  as  well 
For  your  own  quiet,  as  to  rectify 
What  is  unsettled  in  the  king. 

Cam,  His  grace 

Hath  spoken  well  and  justly :  therefore,  madam, 
It 's  fit  this  royal  session  do  proceed ; 
And  that,  without  delay,  their  arguments 
Be  now  produced  and  heard. 

Q.  Kath,  Lord  Cardinal, 

To  you  I  speak. 

WoL  Your  pleasure,  madam  ? 

Q,  Kaih.  Sir, 

I  am  about  to  weep ;  but,  thinking  that  70 

We  are  a  queen,  or  long  have  dream'd  so,  certain 
The  daughter  of  a  king,  my  drops  of  tears 
I  'U  turn  to  sparks  of  fire. 

Wol.  Be  patient  yet 

Q.  Kath,  I  will,  when  you  are  humble;   nay, 
before. 
Or  God  will  punish  me.     I  do  believe. 
Induced  by  potent  circumstances,  that 
You  are  mine  enemy,  and  make  my  challenge 
You  shall  iK>t  be  my  judge  :  for  it  is  you 
Have  blown  this  coal  betwixt  my  lord  and  me ; 
Which  God's  dew  quench !     Therefore  I  say  again,  80 
I  utterly  abhor,  yea,  from  my  soul 
Refuse  you  for  my  judge ;  whom,  jret  once  more, 
I  hold  my  most  malicious  foe,  and  think  not 
At  all  a  fHend  to  truth. 

Wol  I  do  profess 

62.    714^/  longer  you  desire         81.    abhor ^   protest  against ; 

the  court,  that  you  desire  the  according     to     Blackstone,    a 

proceedings  to  be  delayed ;  i.e,  technical  term   of  Canon  Law 

the  interval  before  the  final  de-  (detestor). 
cision  to  be  prolonged. 

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King  Henry  the  Eighth       act  n 

You  speak  not  like  yourself;  who  ever  yet 
Have  stood  to  charity,  and  displayed  the  effects 
Of  disposition  gentle,  and  of  wisdom 
Overtopping  woman's  power.     Madam,  you  do  me 

wrong : 
I  have  no  spleen  against  you ;  nor  injustice 
For  you  or  any :  how  far  I  have  proceeded,  90 

Or  how  far  further  shaU,  is  warranted 
By  a  commission  from  the  consistory. 
Yea,  the  whole  consistory  of  Rome.  You  charge  me 
That  I  have  blown  this  coal :  I  do  deny  it : 
The  king  is  present :  if  it  be  known  to  him 
That  I  gainsay  my  deed,  how  may  he  wound. 
And  worthily,  my  falsehood  !  yea,  as  much 
As  you  have  done  my  truth.     If  he  know 
That  I  am  free  of  your  report,  he  knows 
I  am  not  of  your  wrong.     Therefore  in  him  100 

It  lies  to  cure  me :  and  the  cure  is,  to 
Remove  these  thoughts   from   you:    the   which 

before 
His  highness  shall  speak  in,  I  do  beseech 
You,  gracious  madam,  to  unthink  your  speaking 
And  to  say  so  no  more. 

Q,  Kath,  My  lord,  my  lord, 

I  am  a  simple  woman,  much  too  weak 
To  oppose    your    cunning.     You're   meek   and 

humble-mouth'd ; 
You  sign  your  place  and  calling,  in  full  seeming. 
With  meekness  and  humility ;  but  your  heart 

99.  free  of  your  report^  inno-  104.   unthink  your  speaking, 
cent  of  what  you  allege.                   cancel  in  thought  what  you  have 

100.  I  am  not  (free)  of  your     said. 
wrong,  I  am  not  unaffected  by 

your  injurious  charge.     Wolsey  108.    You  sign  .  .  .  in  full 

escapes  the  accusation  in  so  far  seeming,  ostentatiously  display 
as  it  is  not  true,  but  suffers  from  your  official  and  professional  at- 
it  proportionally  as  slander.  tribute  of  humility. 

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sc.  IV       King  Henry  the  Eighth 

Is  cramm'd  with  arrogancy,  spleen,  and  pride.         no 
You  have,  by  fortune  and  his  highness'  ^Eivours, 
Gone  slightly  o'er  low  steps  and  now  are  mounted 
Where  powers  are  your  retainers,  and  your  words, 
Domestics  to  you,  serve  your  will  as 't  please 
Yourself  pronounce  their  office.     I  must  tell  you. 
You  tender  more  your  person's  honour  than 
Your  high  profession  spiritual :  that  again 
I  do  refuse  you  for  ray  judge ;  and  here, 
Before  you  all,  appeal  unto  the  pope. 
To  bring  my  whole  cause  'fore  his  holiness,  lao 

And  to  be  judged  by  him. 

[S/te  curtsies  to  the  King^  and  offers  to  depart. 

Cam,  The  queen  is  obstinate, 

Stubborn  to  justice,  apt  to  accuse  it,  and 
Disdainful  to  be  tried  by 't :  'tis  not  well. 
She 's  going  away. 

King.  Call  her  again. 

Crier.    Katharine    Queen   of   England,   come 
into  the  court. 

Grif.  Madam,  you  are  call'd  back. 

Q,  Kath.  What  need  you  note  it?  pray  you, 
keep  your  way : 
When  you  are  call'd,  return.    Now,  the  Lord  help. 
They  vex   me    past    my    patience!     Pray    you, 

pass  on :  130 

I  will  not  tarry ;  no,  nor  ever  more 
Upon  this  business  my  appearance  make 
In  any  of  their  courts. 

[Exeunt  Queen,  and  her  Attendants. 

112.  G<me  slightly  o'er t^i^iXy  But  GriflSth  is  clearly  meant, 

and  swiftly  passed.  Holinshed,    whose    account    is 

116.  tender,  regard.  here  closely  followed,  adds  after 
the  Crier's  summons,  'with  that 

122.  apt,  ready.  ^^^^  maister  Griffith,  madame, 

127.  Griffith.      Ff  give  this  you  be  called  againe.'    Griffith 

line   to   a    *genUeman-usher.'  was  her  General  Receiver. 

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King  Henry  the  Eighth       act  h 

King.  Go  thy  ways,  Kate : 

That  man  i'  the  world  who  shall  report  he  has 
A  better  wife,  let  him  in  nought  be  trusted, 
For  speakmg  false  in  that :  thou  art,  alone. 
If  thy  rare  qualities,  sweet  gentleness, 
Thy  meekness  saint-like,  wife-like  government, 
Obeying  in  commanding,  and  thy  parts 
Sovereign  and  pious  else,  could  speak  thee  out,       x^o 
The  queen  of  earthly  queens :  she 's  noble  bom ; 
And,  like  her  true  nobility,  she  has 
Carried  herself  towards  me. 

WoL  Most  gracious  sir. 

In  humblest  manner  I  require  your  highness, 
That  it  shall  please  you  to  declare,  in  hearing 
Of  all  these  ears, — for  where  I  am  robb'd  and 

bound, 
There  must  I  be  unloosed,  although  not  there 
At  once  and  fully  satisfied, — whether  ever  I 
Did  broach  this  business  to  your  highness ;  or 
Laid  any  scruple  in  your  way,  which  might  150 

Induce  you  to  the  question  on 't  ?  or  ever 
Have  to  you,  but  with  thanks  to  God  for  such 
A  royal  lady,  spake  one  the  least  word  that  might 
Be  to  the  prejudice  of  her  present  state, 
Or  touch  of  her  good  person  ? 

King,  My  lord  cardinal, 

I  do  excuse  you  ;  yea,  upon  mine  honour, 
I  free  you  from 't.     You  are  not  to  be  taught 
That  you  have  many  enemies,  that  know  not 
Why  they  are  so,  but,  like  to  village-curs. 
Bark  when  their  fellows  do :  by  some  of  these         x6o 
The  queen  is  put  in  anger.     You  're  excused : 
But  will  you  be  more  justified  ?  you  ever 
Have  wish'd  the  sleeping  of  this  business ;  never 

desired 

X44.  rtpiire,  entreat 
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sc.  IV        King  Henry  the  Eighth 

It  to  be  stirr'd ;  but  oft  have  hindered,  oft, 
The  passages  made  toward  it :  on  my  honour, 
I  speak  my  good  lord  cardinal  to  this  point, 
And  thus  far  clear  him.    Now,  what  moved  me  to 't, 
I  will  be  bold  with  time  and  your  attention : 
Then  mark  the  inducement     Thus  it  came ;  give 

heed  to't: 
My  conscience  first  received  a  tenderness,  X70 

Scruple,  and  prick,  on  certain  speeches  utter'd 
By  the  Bishop  of  Bayonne,  then  French  ambas- 
sador; 
Who  had  been  hither  sent  on  the  debating 
A  marriage  'twixt  the  Duke  of  Orleans  and 
Our  daughter  Mary :  i'  the  progress  of  this  business, 
Ere  a  determinate  resolution,  he, 
I  mean  the  bishop,  did  require  a  respite : 
Wherein  he  might  the  king  his  lord  advertise     . 
Whether  our  daughter  were  legitimate, 
Respecting  this  our  marriage  with  the  dowager,       xSo 
Sometimes  our  brother's  wife.     This  respite  shook 
The  bosom  of  my  conscience,  entcr'd  me, 
Yea,  with  a  splitting  power,  and  made  to  tremble 
The  region  of  my  breast ;  which  forced  such  way, 
That  many  mazed  considerings  did  throng 
And  press'd  in  with  this  caution.     First,  methought 
I  stood  not  in  the  smile  of  heaven ;  who  had 
Commanded  nature,  that  my  lady's  womb. 
If  it  conceived  a  male  child  by  me,  should 
Do  no^more  ofl&ces  of  life  to 't  than  290 

The  grave  does  to  the  dead ;  for  her  male  issue 

172.  /Htf  Bishop  of  Bayonne.  of  my  conscience,'   which   led 

So  Holinshed.     It  was  actually  Theobald  to  propose  '  bottom ' 

Graramont,  Bishop  of  Tarbes.  for  *  bosom.'     This  is  plausible  ; 

174.    the  Duke  of  Orkmns;  but    the    dramatist    does    not 

second  son  of  Francis  I.  follow  Holinshed's  imagery  so 

183.  bosom  of  my  conscience,  implicitly  that  it  can  be  said  to 

Holinshed  has 'theseorei  bottom  be  certain. 


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King  Henry  the  Eighth       acth 

Or  died  where  they  were  made,  or  shortly  after 
This  world    had    air'd   them:   hence   I   took  a 

thought, 
This  was  a  judgement  on  me ;  that  my  kingdom, 
Well  worthy  the  best  heir  o'  the  world,  should  not 
Be  gladded  in 't  by  me :  then  follows,  that 
I  weighed  the  danger  which  my  realms  stood  in 
By  this  my  issue's  fail ;  and  that  gave  to  me 
Many  a  groaning  throe.     Thus  hulling  in 
The  wild  sea  of  my  conscience,  I  did  steer  mo 

Toward  this  remedy,  whereupon  we  are 
Now  present  here  together;  that's  to  say, 
I  meant  to  rectify  my  conscience, — ^which 
I  then  did  feel  full  sick,  and  yet  not  well, — 
By  all  the  reverend  fathers  of  the  land 
And  doctors  learn'd :  first  I  b^an  in  private 
With  you,  my  Lord  of  Lincoln ;  you  remember 
How  under  my  oppression  I  did  reek, 
When  I  first  moved  you. 

Lin,  Very  well,  my  liege. 

JUjng,  I  have  spoke  long:  be  pleased  yourself 
to  say  tio 

How  far  you  satisfied  me. 

Zin.  So  please  your  highness. 

The  question  did  at  first  so  stagger  me, 
Bearing  a  state  of  mighty  moment  in 't 
And  consequence  of  dread,  that  I  committed 
The  daring'st  counsel  which  I  had  to  doubt ; 

199.  hulling,  tossing  to  and  eounselwhichi  htid  to  doubt,  eic\ 

fro  like  a  dismasted  hulk.  instead  of  directly  advising  on 

204.  yet^  even  now.  the  queen's  case,  Lincoln  only 

309.  moved  you,  broached  the  advised  further  counsd.    This  is 

matter  to  you.  more  clearly  put  by  Holinshed, 

313.  Bearing  a  state  of  mighty  where  the  Idng  sajrs,  addrening 

moment    in't,   etc.,    involving  him:  ' for  so  much  as  then  you 

momentous  issues  and    formi-  yourself  were  in  some  doubt,  you 

daUe  consequences.  '  moved  me  to  ask  the  counsel  of 

214.  committed  the  daring' st  all  these  my  lords '  (iii  907). 
ai6 


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sc.  IV       King  Henry  the  Eighth 

And  did  entreat  your  highness  to  this  course 
Which  you  are  running  here. 

King,  I  then  moved  you, 

My  Lord  of  Canterbury ;  and  got  your  leave 
To  make  this  present  summons :  unsolicited 
I  left  no  reverend  person  in  this  court ;  aao 

But  by  particular  consent  proceeded 
Under  your  hands  and  seals :  therefore,  go  on ; 
For  no  dislike  f  the  world  against  the  person 
Of  the  good  queen,  but  the  sharp  thorny  points 
Of  my  alleged  reasons,  drive  this  forward : 
Prove  but  our  marriage  lawful,  by  my  life 
And  kingly  dignity,  we  are  contented 
To  wear  our  mortal  state  to  come  with  her, 
Katharine  our  queen,  before  the  primest  creature 
That 's  paragon'd  o'  the  world. 

Cam,  So  please  your  highness,  330 

The  queen  being  absent,  'tis  a  needful  fitness 
That  we  adjourn  this  court  till  further  day : 
Meanwhile  must  be  an  earnest  motion 
Made  to  the  queen,  to  call  back  her  appeal 
She  intends  unto  his  holiness. 

King,  \Aside\  I  may  perceive 

These  cardinals  trifle  with  me :  I  abhor 
This  dilatory  sloth  and  tricks  of  Rome. 
My  learn'd  and  well-beloved  servant,  Cranmer, 
Prithee,  return :  with  thy  approach,  I  know. 
My  comfort  comes  along.     Break  up  the  court :      340 
I  say,  set  on. 

\Exeunt  in  manner  as  they  entered, 

238.  Cranmer, prithee^  return,     was    absent    on    an    embassy 
A  mental  apostrophe.    Cranmer     (cf.  iii.  2.  63). 


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King  Henry  the  Eighth      act  m 

ACT  III. 

Scene  I.     London,     The  Queen's  apartments. 

Enter  the  Queen  and  her  Women^  as  at  work, 

Q,    Kath,  Take    thy    lute,    wench:   my    soul 
grows  sad  with  troubles ; 
Sing,   and    disperse   'em,   if   thou    canst:   leave 
working. 

Song. 

Orpheus  with  his  lute  made  trees, 
And  the  mountain  tops  that  freeze, 

Bow  themselves  when  he  did  sing : 
To  his  music  plants  and  flowers 
Ever  sprung ;  as  sun  and  showers 

There  had  made  a  lasting  spring. 

Every  thing  that  heard  him  play. 

Even  the  billows  of  the  sea,  xo 

Hung  their  heads,  and  then  lay  by. 
In  sweet  music  is  such  art, 
Killing  care  and  grief  of  heart 

Fall  asleep,  or  hearing,  die. 

Enter  a  Gentleman. 

Q.  Kath.  How  now ! 

Gent,  An't  please  your  grace,  the  two  great 
cardinals 
Wait  in  the  presence. 

Q,  Kath,  Would  they  speak  with  me  ? 

Gent,  They  will'd  me  say  so,  madam. 
.S^.  I,  By  Fletcher  (Sp.). 

2lS 


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3c.  I         King  Henry  the  Eighth 

Q,  Kath,  Pray  their  graces 

To  come  near.     \Exit  Gent,]     What  can  be  their 

business 
With    me,    a    poor    weak    woman,    falPn    from 

favour  ?  ao 

I  do  not  like  their  coming.     Now  I  think  on 't, 
They    should    be    good    men ;    their    affairs    as 

righteous : 
But  all  hoods  make  not  monks. 

EnUr  the  two  Cardinals,  Wolsey  and  Campeius. 

WoL  Peace  to  your  highness ! 

Q,  Kath,  Your  graces  find  me  here  part  of  a 
housewife, 
I  would  be  all,  against  the  worst  may  happen. 
What    are    your    pleasures    with    me,    reverend 
lords  ? 
WoL  May  it  please   you,    noble   madam,    to 
withdraw 
Into  your  private  chamber,  we  shall  give  you 
The  full  cause  of  our  coming. 

Q,  Kath.  Speak  it  here : 

There's  nothing  I  have  done   yet,  o'  my   con- 
science, 30 
Deserves  a  comer :  would  all  other  women 
Could  speak  this  with  as  free  a  soul  as  I  do  \ 
My  lords,  I  care  not,  so  much  I  am  happy 
Above  a  number,  if  my  actions 
Were  tried  by  every  tongue,  every  eye  saw  'em, 
Envy  and  base  opinion  set  against  'em, 
I  know  my  life  so  even.     If  your  business 
Seek  me  out,  and  that  way  I  am  wife  in, 
Out  with  it  boldly :  truth  loves  open  dealing. 

31.  Deserves  a  comer ^  i.e.  to         37.  If  your  business,  etc.  ;  if 
be  told  secretly.  it  be  your  business  to  investigate 

37.  even,  blameless.  my  conduct  as  a  wife. 

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King  Henry  the  Eighth      acthi 

Wol    Tanta    est    erga    te    mentis    integritas,  40 
regina  serenissima, — 

Q.  Kath,  O,  good  my  lord,  no  Latin ; 
I  am  not  such  a  truant  since  my  coming, 
As  not  to  know  the  language  I  have  lived  in : 
A  strange  tongue  makes  my  cause  more  strange, 

suspicious ; 
Pray,  speak  in  English  :  here  are  some  will  thank 

you, 
If  you  speak  truth,  for  their  poor  mistress'  sake ; 
BeUeve   me,    she    has    had    much    wrong:   lord 

cardinal, 
The  willing'st  sin  I  ever  yet  committed 
May  be  absolved  in  English. 

Wol  Noble  lady,  50 

I  am  sorry  my  integrity  should  breed, 
And  service  to  his  majesty  and  you. 
So  deep  suspicion,  where  all  faith  was  meant 
We  come  not  by  the  way  of  accusation, 
To  taint  that  honour  every  good  tongue  blesses. 
Nor  to  betray  you  any  way  to  sorrow, 
You  have  too  much,  good  lady ;  but  to  know 
How  you  stand  minded  in  the  weighty  difference 
Between  the  king  and  you ;  and  to  deliver. 
Like  free  and  honest  men,  our  just  opinions  60 

And  comforts  to  your  cause. 

Cam.  Most  honoured  madam. 

My  Lord  of  York,  out  of  his  noble  nature. 
Zeal  and  obedience  he  still  bore  your  grace. 
Forgetting,  like  a  good  man,  your  late  censure 
Both  of  his  truth  and  him,  which  was  too  far. 
Offers,  as  I  do,  in  a  sign  of  peace, 
His  service  and  his  counsel. 

Q,  Kath.  [Aside]  To  betray  me. — 

My  lords,  I  thank  you  both  for  your  good  wills ; 
Ye  speak  like  honest  men ;  pray  God,  ye  prove  so  ! 


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8c.  I         King  Henry  the  Eighth 

But  how  to  make  ye  suddenly  an  answer,  70 

In  such  a  point  of  weight,  so  near  mine  honour, — 

More  near  my  life,  I  fear, — with  my  weak  wit, 

And  to  such  men  of  gravity  and  learning. 

In  truth,  I  know  not     I  was  set  at  work 

Among  my  maids ;  full  little,  God  knows,  looking 

Either  fpr  such  men  or  such  business. 

For  her  sake  that  I  have  been, — ^for  I  feel 

The  last  fit  of  my  greatness, — ^good  your  graces. 

Let  me  have  time  and  counsel  for  my  cause : 

Alas,  I  am  a  woman,  friendless,  hopeless !  80 

IVol  Madam,  you  wrong  the  king's  love  with 
these  fears : 
Your  hopes  and  friends  are  infinite. 

Q.  Kath,  In  England 

But  little  for  my  profit :  can  you  think,  lords. 
That  any  Englishman  dare  give  me  counsel  ? 
Or    be  a    known    fiiend,    'gainst    his    highness' 

pleasure, 
Though  he  be  grown  so  desperate  to  be  honest, 
And  live  a  subject  ?     Nay,  forsooth  !     My  fiiends. 
They  that  must  weigh  out  my  afflictions, 
They  that  my  trust  must  grow  to,  live  not  here : 
They  are,  as  all  my  other  comforts,  far  hence  90 

In  mine  own  country,  lords. 

Cam.  I  would  your  grace 

Would  leave  your  griefs,  and  take  my  counsel 

C  Kath.  How,  sir? 

Cam,  Put    your  main   cause   into    the   king's 
protection ; 
He 's  loving  and  most  gracious  :  'twill  be  much 
Both  for  your  honour  better  and  your  cause ; 

86.  •  Though  he  (the  English-      and  dare  to  live  where  Henry 
man)  be  grown  so  reckless  as  to     has  sway.     L. 

be  honest.'  88.      weigh    out,    outweigh, 

87.  And  live  a  subject,  i.e.      counterbalance. 

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King  Henry  the  Eighth       act  m 

For  if  the  trial  of  the  law  o'ertake  ye, 
You  '11  part  away  disgraced. 

Wol,  He  tells  you  rightly. 

Q,  Kath,  Ye  tell  me  what  ye  wish  for  b^h, — 
my  ruin : 
Is  this  your  Christian  counsel  ?  out  upon  ye ! 
Heaven  is  above  all  yet ;  there  sits  a  judge  too 

That  no  king  can  corrupt 

Cam.  Your  rage  mistakes  us. 

Q,  Kath.  The  more  shame  for  ye :   holy  men 
I  thought  ye, 
Upon  my  soul,  two  reverend  cardinal  virtues ; 
But  cardinal  sins  and  hollow  hearts  I  fear  ye : 
Mend  'em,  for  shame,  my  lords.      Is  tUs  your 

comfort  ? 
The  cordial  that  ye  bring  a  wretched  lady, 
A  woman  lost  among  ye,  laugh'd  at,  scom'd  ? 
I  will  not  wish  ye  half  my  miseries ; 
I  have  more  charity  :  but  say,  I  warn'd  ye ; 
Take  heed,  for  heaven's  sake,  take  heed,  lest  at 

once  xxo 

The  burthen  of  my  sorrows  fall  upon  ye. 

WoL  Madam,  this  is  a  mere  distraction ; 
You  turn  the  good  we  oflfer  into  envy. 

Q,  Kath,  Ye  turn  me  into  nothing :  woe  upon  ye 
And  all  such  false  professors!   would  you  have 

me — 
If  you  have  any  justice,  any  pity ; 
If  ye  be  any  thing  but  churchmen's  habits — 
Put  my  sick  cause  into  his  hands  that  hates  me  ? 
Alas,  has  banish'd  me  his  bed  already. 
His  love,  too  long  ago !     I  am  old,  my  lords,  xm 

And  all  the  fellowship  I  hold  now  with  him 
Is  only  my  obedience.     What  can  happen 
To  me  above  this  wretchedness  ?  all  your  studies 
Make  me  a  curse  like  this. 


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«c.  I         King  Henry  the  Eighth 

Cam,  Your  fears  are  worse. 

Q,  KatiL    Have  I   lived   thus  long — let  me 

speak  myself, 
Since  virtue  finds  no  friends — a  wife,  a  true  one? 
A  woman,  I  dare  say  without  vain-glory. 
Never  yet  branded  with  suspicion  ? 
Have  I  with  all  my  full  affections 
Still   met   the   king?    loved  him   next  heaven? 

obey'd  him  ?  13© 

Been,  out  of  fondness,  superstitious  to  him  ? 
Almost  forgot  my  prayers  to  content  him  ? 
And  am  I  thus  rewarded  ?  'tis  not  well,  lords. 
Bring  me  a  constant  woman  to  her  husband. 
One  that  ne'er  dream'd  a  joy  beyond  his  pleasure ; 
And  to  that  woman,  when  she  has  done  most. 
Yet  will  I  add  an  honour, — z,  great  patience. 
WoL  Madam,  you  wander  from  the  good  we 

aim  at 
Q.  Kath.  My  l(^d,  I  dare  not  make  myself  so 

guilty. 
To  give  up  willingly  that  noble  title  140 

Your  master  wed  me  to :  nothing  but  death 
Shall  e'er  divorce  my  dignities. 

Wol.  Pray>  hear  me. 

Q.  Kath.  Would  I  had  never  trod  this  English 

earth. 
Or  felt  the  flatteries  that  grow  upon  it ! 
Ye  have  angels'  feces,   but  heaven  knows  your 

hearts. 
What  will  become  of  me  now,  wretched  lady ! 
I  am  the  most  unhappy  woman  living. 
Alas,  poor  wenches,  where  are  now  your  fortunes ! 

134.    a   constant  woman,    a  liers. 
woman  constant  (to  .  .  .).  145.    angels*  faces ;  perhaps 

137.   add  an  honour ^   I  will  an  allusion  to  Gregory's  'non 

show  a  merit  in  addition  to  all  Angli  sed  angdi '  (Dyce). 

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King  Henry  the  Eighth      act  m 

Shipwrecked  upon  a  kingdom,  where  no  pity, 

No  friends,  no  hope ;  no  kindred  weep  for  me ;       150 

Almost  no  grave  allowed  me :  like  the  lily, 

That  once  was  mistress  of  the  field  and  fiourish'd, 

I  '11  hang  my  head  and  perish. 

Wol.  If  your  grace 

Could  but  be  brought  to  know  our  ends  are  honest, 
You  'Id  feel  more  comfort :  why  should  we,  good 

lady, 
Upon  what  cause,  wrong  you?  alas,  our  places, 
The  way  of  our  profession  is  against  it : 
We  are  to  cure  such  sorrows,  not  to  sow  'em. 
For  goodness'  sake,  consider  what  you  do ; 
How  you  may  hurt  yourself,  ay,  utterly  160 

Grow  from  the  king's  acquaintance,  by  this  carriage. 
The  hearts  of  princes  kiss  obedience. 
So  much  they  love  it ;  but  to  stubborn  spirits 
They  swell,  and  grow  as  terrible  as  storms. 
I  know  you  have  a  gentle,  noble  temper, 
A  soul  as  even  as  a  calm  :  pray,  think  us 
Those    we    profess,   peace-makers,   friends,   and 

servants. 
Cam.   Madam,  you'll  find  it  so.     You  wrong 

your  virtues 
With  these  weak  women's  fears :  a  noble  spirit. 
As  yours  was  put  into  you,  ever  casts  170 

Such  doubts,  as  £alse  coin,  from  it.     The  king 

loves  you ; 
Beware  you  lose  it  not :  for  us,  if  you  please 
To  trust  us  in  your  business,  we  are  ready 
To  use  our  utmost  studies  in  your  service. 

Q.  Kath,    Do  Vhat  ye  will,  my  lords :    and, 

pray,  forgive  me. 
If  I  have  used  myself  unmannerly ; 

159.  For  goodnesi  sake.     In     solemn  adjuration  :  '  for  God's 
Shakespeare's  time  this  was  a     sake.' 
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8c.  II        King  Henry  the  Eighth 

You  know  I  am  a  woman,  lacking  wit 

To  make  a  seemly  answer  to  such  persons. 

Pray,  do  my  service  to  his  majesty : 

He  has  my  heart  yet ;  and  shall  have  my  prayers    iSo 

While   I   shall   have   my  life.      Come,  reverend 

fathers. 
Bestow  your  counsels  on  me :  she  now  begs, 
That  litUe  thought,  when  she  set  footing  here, 
She  should  have  bought  her  dignities  so  dear. 

[Exeunt 


Scene  II.     Ante-chamber  to  the  King's  apartment. 

Enter  the  Duke  of  Norfolk,  the  Duke  of 
Suffolk,  the  Earl  of  Surrey,  and  the 
Lord  Chamberlain. 

Nor.  If  you  will  now  unite  in  your  complaints, 
And  force  them  with  a  constancy,  the  cardinal 
Cannot  stand  under  them  :  if  you  omit 
The  offer  of  this  time,  I  cannot  promise 
But  that  you  shall  sustain  moe  new  disgraces. 
With  these  you  bear  already. 

Sur,  I  am  joyful 

To  meet  the  least  occasion  that  may  give  me 
Remembrance  of  my  father-in-law,  the  duke, 
To  be  revenged  on  him. 

Suf,  Which  of  the  peers 

Have  uncontemn'd  gone  by  him,  or  at  least  lo 

Strangely  neglected  ?  when  did  he  regard 
The  stamp  of  nobleness  in  any  person 
Out  of  himself? 

2.  force,  urge.  ham. 

4.    (^er,    favourable    oppor-  11.  Strangely  neglected.    The 

tunity.  negative  'un'  in  'uncontemn'd' 

8.    the  duke,   le.    Bucking-  is  understood  with  both  clauses. 

VOL.  VII  225  Q 


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King  Henry  the  Eighth      act  m 

Cham,        My  lords,  you  speak  your  pleasures  : 
What  he  deserves  of  you  and  me  I  know ; 
What  we  can  do  to  him,  though  now  the  time 
Gives  way  to  us,  I  much  fear.     If  you  cannot 
Bar  his  access  to  the  king,  never  attempt 
Any  thing  on  him ;  for  he  hath  a  witchcraft 
Over  the  king  in  *s  tongue. 

Nor,  O,  fear  him  not ; 

His  spell  in  that  is  out :  the  king  hath  found  90 

Matter  against  him  that  for  ever  mars 
The  honey  of  his  language.     No,  he 's  settled. 
Not  to  come  off,  in  his  displeasure. 

Sur.  Sh", 

I  should  be  glad  to  he^r  such  news  as  this 
Once  every  hour. 

Nor,  Believe  it,  this  is  true : 

In  the  divorce  his  contrary  proceedings 
Are  all  unfolded ;  wherein  he  appears 
As  I  would  wish  mine  enemy. 

Sur,  How  came 

His  practices  to  light  ? 

Suf,  Most  strangely. 

Sur,  O,  how,  how? 

Suf,  The  cardinal's  letters  to  the  pope  miscarried,  30 
And  came  to  the  eye  o'  the  king :  wherein  was  read, 
How  that  the  cardinal  did  entreat  his  holiness 
To  stay  the  judgement  o'  the  divorce ;  for  if 
It  did  take  place,  *  I  do,'  quoth  he,  *  perceive 
My  king  is  tangled  in  affection  to 
A  creature  of  the  queen's,  Lady  Anne  BuUen.' 

Sur,  Has  the  king  this  ? 

Suf,  Believe  it. 

Sur,  Will  this  work  ? 

Cham,    The  king  in  this  perceives  him,  how 
he  coasts 
16.  way,  scope,  opportunity.        38.  coasts,  cautiously  feels  his  way. 
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sc.  II        King  Henry  the  Eighth 

And  hedges  his  own  way.     But  in  this  point 

All  his  tricks  founder,  and  he  brings  his  physic         40 

After  his  patient's  death :  the  king  already 

Hath  married  the  fair  lady. 

Sur.  Would  he  had ! 

Suf.  May  you  be  happy  in  your  wish,  my  lord ! 
For,  I  profess,  you  have  it. 

Sur,  Now,  all  my  joy 

Trace  the  conjunction ! 

Suf.  My  amen  to 't ! 

Nor,  All  men's ! 

Suf.  There 's  order  given  for  her  coronation : 
Marry,  this  is  yet  but  young,  and  may  be  left 
To  some  ears  unrecounted.     But,  my  lords, 
She  is  a  gallant  creature,  and  complete 
In  mind  and  feature :  I  persuade  me,  from  her        50 
Will  fall  some  blessing  to  this  land,  which  shall 
In  it  be  memorized. 

Sur.  But,  will  the  king 

Digest  this  letter  of  the  cardinal's  ? 
The  Lord  forbid  I 

Nor.  Marry,  amen ! 

Suf.  No,  no ; 

There  be  moe  wasps  that  buzz  about  his  nose 
Will  make  this  sting  the  sooner.    Cardinal  Campeius 
Is  stol'n  away  to  Rome ;  hath  ta'en  no  leave ; 
Has  left  the  cause  o'  the  king  unhandled ;  and 
Is  posted,  as  the  agent  of  our  cardinal, 
To  second  all  his  plot.     I  do  assure  you  60 

The  king  cried  Ha  1  at  this. 

Cham.  Now,  God  incense  him, 

And  let  him  cry  Ha !  louder ! 

45.   Trace,  follow.  astrology, 

ib.     conjunction:    with    an  47.  young,  fresh, 

allusion  to  the  auspicious  '  con-  52.  memorised,  made  memor- 

junction'    of    two    planets    in  able. 

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King  Henry  the  Eighth      actih 

Nor,  But,  my  lord. 

When  returns  Cranmer  ? 

Suf.  He  is  retum'd  in  his  opinions ;  which 
Have  satisfied  the  king  for  his  divorce, 
Together  with  all  famous  coU^es 
Almost  in  Christendom :  shortly,  I  believe. 
His  second  marriage  shall  be  published,  and 
Her  coronation.     Katharine  no  more 
Shall  be  call'd  queen,  but  princess  dowager  70 

And  widow  to  Prince  Arthur. 

Nor,  This  same  Cranmer 's 

A  worthy  fellow,  and  hath  ta'en  much  pain 
In  the  king's  business. 

Suf.  He  has ;  and  we  shall  see  him 

For  it  an  archbishop. 

Nor,  So  I  hear. 

Suf.  Tis  so. 

The  cardinal ! 

Enter  Wolsey  and  Cromwell. 

Nor.  Observe,  observe,  he 's  moody. 

WoL  The  packet,  Cromwell, 
Gave 't  you  the  king  ? 

Crom,  To  his  own  hand,  in  *s  bedchamber. 

WoL  Look'd  he  o*  the  inside  of  the  paper  ? 

Crotn,  Presently 

He  did  unseal  them :  and  the  first  he  view'd. 
He  did  it  with  a  serious  mind ;  a  heed  80 

64.  returned  in  his  opinions^  junction  with  his,  satisfied  the 

i.e.  he  has  sent  home  in  advance  king.    Foxe,  whom  Shakespeare 

the  opinions  he  has  collected  clearly  used  for  this  part  of  the 

regarding  the  divorce.      These  play,  mentions  certain  German 

opinions  coincided  with  Cran-  scholars 'who,  very  ambiguously 

mer's  own ;   hence  by  an  easy  heretofore  conceiving  the  cause, 

transition  the  latter  becomes  the  were  fully  resolved  and  satisfied 

implied  subject  of  V.  66  ;  Cran-  by  him'    (Foxe,  ii.    1754,  cit 

mer's     opinion     satisfied     the  Stone's  Holinshed^  p.  478). 
colleges,    and    theirs,   in    con- 

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sc.  u        King  Henry  the  Eighth 

Was  in  his  countenance.     You  he  bade 
Attend  him  here  this  morning. 

Wol.  Is  he  ready 

To  come  abroad  ? 

Cr(?m.  I  think,  by  this  he  is. 

JVo/.  Leave  me  awhile.  [Exit  CrotnweU, 

\Ande\  It  shall  be  to  the  Duchess  of  Alen9on, 
The  French  king's  sister :  he  shall  marry  her. 
Anne  BuUen !    No ;  I  '11  no  Anne  BuUens  for  him : 
There 's  more  in 't  than  fair  visage.     BuUen ! 
No,  we  '11  no  BuUens.     Speedily  I  wish 
To  hear  from  Rome.     The  Marchioness  of  Pem- 
broke !  90 

Nor,  He 's  discontented. 

Suf,  May  be,  he  hears  the  king 

Does  whet  bis  anger  to  him. 

Sur,  Sharp  enough, 

Lord,  for  thy  justice  1 

WoL  [Aside]    The  late  queen's  gentlewoman, 
a  knight's  daughter. 
To  be  her  mistress'  mistress !  the  queen's  queen ! 
This  candle  burns  not  clear :  'tis  I  must  snuflf  it ; 
Then  out  it  goes.      What   though  I  know  her 

virtuous 
And  well  deserving  ?  yet  I  know  her  for 
A  spleeny  Lutheran ;  and  not  wholesome  to 
Our  cause,  that  she  should  lie  i'  the  bosom  of         100 
Our  hard-ruled  king.     Again,  there  is  sprung  up 
An  heretic,  an  arch  one,  Cranmer ;  one 
Hath  crawl'd  into  the  favour  of  the  king, 
And  is  his  oracle. 

Nor.  He  is  vex'd  at  something. 

Sur.    I   would    'twere   something  that   would 
fret  the  string. 
The  master-cord  on 's  heart ! 

101,  Jkard-rmUdthaid  to  Tvle.  106.  0»'j,  of  his. 

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King  Henry  the  Eighth      actui 

Enter  the  King,  reading  of  a  schedule^  and 

LOVELL. 

Suf,  The  king,  the  king ! 

King,  What  piles  of  wealth  hath  he  accumulated 
To  his  own  portion  !  and  what  expense  by  the  hour 
Seems  to  flow  from  him !     How,  i'  the  name  of 

thrift, 
Does  he  rake  this  together !     Now,  my  lords,  no 

Saw  you  the  cardinal  ? 

Nor,  My  lord,  we  have 

Stood  here  observing  him :    some  strange  com- 
motion 
Is  in  his  brain :  he  bites  his  lip,  and  starts ; 
Stops  on  a  sudden,  looks  upon  the  ground. 
Then  lays  his  finger  on  his  temple ;  straight 
Springs  out  into  fast  gait ;  then  stops  again. 
Strikes  his  breast  hard,  and  anon  he  casts 
His  eye  against  the  moon :  in  most  strange  postures 
We  have  seen  him  set  himself. 

King.  It  may  well  be ; 

There  is  a  mutiny  in 's  mind.     This  morning  120 

Papers  of  state  he  sent  me  to  peruse. 
As  I  required  :  and  wot  you  what  I  found 
There, — on  my  conscience,  put  unwittingly  ? 
Forsooth,  an  inventory,  thus  importing : 
The  several  parcels  of  his  plate,  his  treasure. 
Rich  stuffs,  and  ornaments  of  household  ;  which 
I  find  at  such  proud  rate,  that  it  out-speaks 
Possession  of  a  subject. 

Nor,  It 's  heaven's  will : 

Some  spirit  put  this  paper  in  the  packet, 
To  bless  your  eye  withal. 

King.  If  we  did  think  130 

109.  thrift,  gain.  something     beyond     (m^at     a 

127.     out' speaks t     expresses     subject  maj  righUx  possess). 
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sc.  II        King  Henry  the  Eighth 

His  contemplation  were  above  the  earth, 
And  fix'd  on  spiritual  object,  he  should  still 
Dwell  in  his  musings :  but  I  am  afraid 
His  thinkings  are  below  the  moon,  not  worth 
His  serious  considering. 

[I^tng  fakes  his  seat;  whispers  Laveily  who 
goes  to  the  Cardinal. 

IVoL  Heaven  forgive  me  ! 

Ever  God  bless  your  highness ! 

King.  Good  my  lord, 

You  are  full  of  heavenly  stuff,  and  bear  the  in- 
ventory 
Of  your  best  graces  in  your  mind ;  the  which 
You  were  now  running  o'er :  you  have  scarce  time 
To  steal  from  spiritual  leisure  a  brief  span 
To  keep  your  earthly  audit :  sure,  in  that 
I  deem  you  an  ill  husband,  and  am  glad 
To  have  you  therein  my  companion. 

WoL  Sir, 

For  holy  offices  I  have  a  time ;  a  time 
To  think  upon  the  part  of  business  which 
I  bear  i'  the  state ;  and  nature  does  require 
Her  times  of  preservation,  which  perforce 
I,  her  frail  son,  amongst  my  brethren  mortal. 
Must  give  my  tendance  to. 

King,  You  have  said  well. 

WoL    And  ever  may  your  highness  yoke  to- 
gether. 
As  I  will  lend  you  cause,  my  doing  well 
With  my  well  saying ! 

King,  Tis  well  said  again ; 

And  'tis  a  kind  of  good  deed  to  say  well : 
And  yet  words  are  no  deeds.     My  father  loved 

you : 
He  said  he  did ;  and  with  his  deed  did  crown 

Z43.  husbandt  manager. 
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King  Henry  the  Eighth      actih 

His  word  upon  you.     Since  I  had  my  office, 
I  have  kept  you  next  my  heart ;  have  not  alone 
Employed  you  where  high  profits  might  come  home, 
But  pared  my  present  havings,  to  bestow 
My  bounties  upon  you. 

Woi,  [Aside]  What  should  this  mean  }  i6o 

Sur,  [Aside]  The  Lord  increase  this  business ! 

JQng.  Have  I  not  made  you 

The  prime  man  of  the  state  ?     I  pray  you,  tell  me, 
If  what  I  now  pronounce  you  have  found  true : 
And,  if  you  may  confess  it,  say  withal, 
If  you  are  bound  to  us  or  no.     What  say  you  ? 

Wol,  My  sovereign,  I  confess  your  royal  graces, 
Shower'd  on  me  daily,  have  been  more  than  could 
My  studied  purposes  requite ;  which  went 
Beyond  all  man's  endeavours :  my  endeavours 
Have  ever  come  too  short  of  my  desires,  170 

Yet  filed  with  my  abilities :  mine  own  ends 
Have  been  mine  so  that  evermore  they  pointed 
To  the  good  of  your  most  sacred  person  and 
The  profit  of  the  state.     For  your  great  graces 
Heap'd  upon  me,  poor  imdeserver,  I 
Can  nothing  render  but  allegiant  thanks, 
My  prayers  to  heaven  for  you,  my  loyalty. 
Which  ever  has  and  ever  shall  be  growing. 
Till  death,  that  winter,  kill  it 

King,  Fairly  answer'd ; 

A  loyal  and  obedient  subject  is  180 

Therein  illustrated :  the  honour  of  it 
Does  pay  the  act  of  it ;  as,  i'  the  contrary. 
The  foulness  is  the  punishment.     I  presume 

168.  which;  i.e.  the  requital  correction  for  Ffyf //*</. 
of  such  favours  as  the  king's.  176.  allegiant ,  loyaL 

iji.Jlled;   kept   pace  with.  181.  the  honour  of  it  does  pay 

A  '  file '  is  technically  two  soldiers  the  act  of  it^  the  honour  attach- 

one  standing  behind  another  at  ing  to  such  loyalty  sufficiently 

a  proper    interval      Hanmer's  rewards  it 
232 


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sc.  II        King  Henry  the  Eighth 

That,  as  my  hand  has  open'd  bounty  to  you, 
My  heart  dropped  love,  my  power  rain'd  honour, 

more 
On  you  than  any ;  so  your  hand  and  heart. 
Your  brain,  and  every  function  of  your  power. 
Should,  notwithstanding  that  your  bond  of  duty. 
As  'twere  in  love's  particular,  be  more 
To  me,  y<Mir  friend,  than  any. 

Wo/.  I  do  profess  190 

That  for  your  highness'  good  I  ever  labour'd 
More  than  mine  own ;  that  am,  have,  and  will  be — 
Though  all  the  world  should  crack  their  duty  to 

you, 
And  throw  it  from  their  soul ;  though  perils  did 
Abound,  as  thick  as  thought  could  make  'em,  and 
Appear  in  forms  more  horrid, — ^yet  my  duty. 
As  doth  a  rode  against  the  chiding  flood. 
Should  the  approach  of  this  wild  river  break. 
And  stand  unshaken  yours. 

I^ing,  'Tis  nobly  spoken  : 

Take  notice,  lords,  he  has  a  loyal  breast,  aoo 

For  you  have  seen  him  open 't     Read  o'er  this ; 

[Giving  him  papers. 
And  after,  this :  and  then  to  breakfast  with 
What  appetite  you  have. 

\Exit    King^    frowning    upon     Cardinal 
Wolsey :  the  nobles  throng  after  him^ 
smiling  and  whispering, 
WoL  What  should  this  mean  ? 

192.  that  antt  have^  and  will  pleting  his  broken  phrase  with 

be,  etc     Wolsey  is  beginning  a  '  dutiful,'  he  begins  afresh :  '  yet 

passionate  asseveration  that  he  my  duty,  etc'     The  confusion 

is,  has  been,  and  will  be  dutiful  is    characteristic    of    Wolsey's 

to  the  king  though  all  others  growing    embarrassment.        A 

deserted  him,  etc.,  but  the  ac-  large  number    of    critics  have 

cumulated  subordinate  sentences  sought  to  make  him  coherent  at 

break  the  thread  of  his  thought,  some  cost  to  dramatic  effect, 
and  at  v.  196,  instead  of  com-         203-459.  By  Fletcher  (Sp.), 

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King  Henry  the  Eighth      act  m 

What  sudden  anger 's  this  ?  how  have  I  reaped  it  ? 
He  parted  frowning  from  me,  as  if  ruin 
Leaped  from  his  eyes :  so  looks  the  chafed  lion 
Upon  the  daring  huntsman  that  has  gall'd  him ; 
Then   makes  him   nothing.      I   must  read   this 

paper; 
I  fear,  the  story  of  his  anger.     'Tis  so ; 
This  paper  has  undone  me :  'tis  the  account  axo 

Of  all  that  world  of  wealth  I  have  drawn  together 
For  mine  own  ends;  indeed,  to  gain  the  pope- 
dom, 
And  fee  my  friends  in  Rome.     O  n^ligence  I 
Fit  for  a  fool  to  fall  by :  what  cross  devil 
Made  me  put  this  main  secret  in  the  packet 
I  sent  the  king  ?     Is  there  no  way  to  cure  this  ? 
No  new  device  to  beat  this  from  his  brains  ? 
I  know  'twill  stir  him  strongly ;  yet  I  know 
A  way,  if  it  take  right,  in  spite  of  fortune 
Will  bring  me  oflf  agaia     What 's  this  ?     *  To  the 

Pope  I '  S30 

The  letter,  as  I  live,  with  all  the  business 
I  writ  to 's  holiness.     Nay  then,  farewell ! 
I  have  touch'd  the  highest  point  of  all  my  great- 
ness; 
And,  from  that  full  meridian  of  my  glory, 
I  haste  now  to  my  setting :  I  shall  fall 
Like  a  bright  exhalation  in  the  evening, 
And  no  man  see  me  more. 

2IO.     'tis   the   account t    etc.  Shakespeare,  not  without  poetic 

Holinshed  records  that  an  in-  justice,   makes  him   here   play 

advertence    of   this    kind    was  his  victim's  part, 

committed   by   the   Bishop    of  .      _^. 

Durham  in  1523.  which  Wolsey  »'4.  cross,  thwartmg. 

used  to  procure  his  disgrace.  226.  exhalation,  meteor. 


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sc.  II        King  Henry  the  Eighth 

Re-enter  to  Wolsey,  the  Dukes  of  Norfolk  and 
Suffolk,  the  Earl  of  Surrey,  and  the  Lord 
Chamberlain. 

Nor,  Hear  the  king's  pleasure,  cardinal:  who 
commands  you 
To  render  up  the  great  seal  presently 
Into  our  hands ;  and  to  confine  yourself  230 

To  Asher  House,  my  Lord  of  Winchester's, 
Till  you  hear  further  from  his  highness. 

WoL  Stay : 

Where's  your  commission,  lords?   words  cannot 

carry 
Authority  so  weighty. 

Suf.  Who  dare  cross  'em, 

Bearing  the  king's  will  from  his  mouth  expressly  ? 

Wol.   Till  I  find  more  than  will  or  words  to 
do  it, 
I  mean  your  malice,  know,  officious  lords, 
I  dare  and  must  deny  it     Now  I  feel 
Of  what  coarse  metal  ye  are  moulded,  envy : 
How  eagerly  ye  follow  my  disgraces,  040 

As  if  it  fed  ye !  and  how  sleek  and  wanton 
Ye  appear  in  every  thing  may  bring  my  ruin ! 
Follow  your  envious  courses,  men  of  malice ; 
You  have  Christian  warrant  for  'em,  and,  no  doubt. 
In  time  will  find  their  fit  rewards     That  seal, 

227.     The  Earl  of  Surrey,  son  of  the  third  duke. 

The  dramatic   'Surrey'  stands  231.  Asher  House;  the  later 

for  two  historic  persons  whom  Esher    House,  near   Hampton 

the  dramatist  probablyconfused :  Court,    the    property    of    the 

viz.  (i)  the  Earl  of  Surrey  who  bishopric  of  Winchester.     Wol- 

married  Buckingham's  daughter  sey  had  held  this  see  since  1528 

and     succeeded     Kildare     as  *in  commendam.'     Mr.   Stone 

Deputy  of  Ireland  (iL  x.   42) ;  {Hoi.   p.    474  n. )  thinks  that 

in  1524  he  became  third  Duke  Gardiner,    Wolsey's    successor, 

of  Norfolk,  i,e.  the  *  Norfolk '  may  here  be  meant  by  •  my  lord 

of  this  scene.     (2)  The  famous  of  Winchester's. 


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King  Henry  the  Eighth      act  m 

You  ask  with  such  a  violence,  the  king, 

Mine  and  your  master,  with  his  own  hand  gave 

me; 
Bade  me  enjoy  it,  with  the  place  and  honours. 
During  my  life ;  and,  to  confirm  his  goodness. 
Tied  it  by  letters-patents :  now,  who  '11  take  it  ? 
SuK  The  king,  that  gave  it  350 

JVo/.  It  must  be  himself  then. 

Sur.  Thou  art  a  proud  traitor,  priest 
IVo/.  Proud  lord,  thou  liest : 

Within  these  forty  hours  Surrey  durst  better 
Have  burnt  that  tongue  than  said  so. 

SuK  Thy  ambition, 

Thou  scarlet  sin,  robb'd  this  bewailing  land 
Of  noble  Buckingham,  my  father-in-law : 
The  heads  of  all  thy  brother  cardinals, 
With  thee  and  all  thy  best  parts  bound  together, 
Weigh'd  not  a  hair  of  his.     Plague  of  your  policy  ! 
You  sent  me  deputy  for  Ireland ;  360 

Far  from  his  succour,  from  the  king,  from  all 
That  might  have  mercy  on  the  fault  thou  gavest 

him; 
Whilst  your  great  goodness,  out  of  holy  pity. 
Absolved  him  with  an  axe. 

JVo/.  This,  and  all  else 

This  talking  lord  can  lay  upon  my  credit, 
I  answer  is  most  false.     The  duke  by  law 
Found  his  deserts  :  how  innocent  I  was 
From  any  private  malice  in  his  end. 
His  noble  jury  and  foul  cause  can  witness. 
If  I  loved  many  words,  lord,  I  should  tell  you        370 
You  have  as  little  honesty  as  honour, 
That  in  the  way  of  loyalty  and  truth 
Toward  the  king,  my  ever  royal  master, 

262.  gavesit  didst  impute  to. 
269.  His  noble  jury,  the  jury  of  his  peers. 

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8c.  n        King  Henry  the  Eighth 

Dare  mate  a  sounder  man  than  Surrey  can  be, 
And  all  that  love  his  follies. 

SuK  By  my  soul, 

Your  long  coat,  priest,  protects  you ;  thou  shouldst 

feel 
My  sword  i'  the  life-blood  of  thee  else.     My  lords. 
Can  ye  endure  to  hear  this  arrogance  ? 
And  from  this  fellow  ?     If  we  live  thus  tamely, 
To  be  thus  jaded  by  a  piece  of  scarlet,  aSo 

Farewell  nobility ;  let  his  grace  go  forward. 
And  dare  us  with  his  cap  like  larics. 

Wbl  All  goodness 

Is  poison  to  thy  stomach. 

Sur.  Yes,  that  goodness 

Of  leaning  all  the  land's  wealth  into  one, 
Into  your  own  hands,  cardinal,  by  extortion  ; 
The  goodness  of  your  intercepted  packets 
You  writ  to  the  pope  against  the  king :  your  good- 
ness. 
Since  you  provoke  me,  shall  be  most  notorious. 
My  Lord  of  Norfolk,  as  you  are  truly  noble. 
As  you  respect  the  common  good,  the  state  390 

Of  our  despised  nobility,  our  issues, 
Who^  if  he  live,  will  scarce  be  gentlemen, 
Produce  the  grand  sum  of  his  sins,  the  articles 
Collected  from  his  life.     I  '11  startle  you 
Worse  than  the  sacring  bell,   when   the   brown 

wench 
Lay  kissing  in  your  arms,  lord  cardinal 

Pf^o/,   How  much,   methinks,   I  could  despise 
this  man. 
But  that  I  am  bound  in  charity  against  it ! 

28a.    dare,  cause  to  cower.  295.    sacring  bell,  the  little 

Larks  were  often  '  dared '  by  a  bell  rung  to  give  notice  of  the 

piece  of  scarlet  cloth.    Wols^'s  approach  of  the  Host  when  it 

scarlet  cap  is  to  serve  the  same  is  borne  in  procession, 
purpose. 

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King  Henry  the  Eighth      act  m 

Nor.  Those  articles,  my  lord,  are  in  the  king's 
hand: 
But,  thus  much,  they  are  foul  ones. 

WoL  So  much  fairer  300 

And  spotless  shall  mine  innocence  arise, 
When  the  king  knows  my  truth. 

Sur,  This  cannot  save  you  : 

I  thank  my  memory,  I  yet  remember 
Some  of  these  articles ;  and  out  they  shall 
Now,  if  you  can  blush  and  cry  '  guilty,'  cardinal. 
You  '11  show  a  little  honesty. 

WoL  Speak  on,  sir ; 

I  dare  your  worst  objections  :  if  I  blush, 
It  is  to  see  a  nobleman  want  manners. 

Sur.  I  had  rather  want  those  than  my  head. 
Have  at  you ! 
First,  that,  without  the  king's  assent  or  knoidedge,  3x0 
Yoii  wrought  to  be  a  legate ;  by  which  power 
You  maim'd  the  jurisdiction  of  all  bishops. 

Nor,  Then,  that  in  all  you  writ  to  Rome,  or  else 
To  foreign  princes,  *Ego  et  Rex  meus' 
Was  still  inscribed ;  in  which  you  brought  the  king 
To  be  your  servant 

Suf,  Then  that,  without  the  knowledge 

Either  of  king  or  council,  when  you  went 
Ambassador  to  the  emperor,  you  made  bold 
To  carry  into  Flanders  the  great  seal. 

Sur,  Item,  you  sent  a  large  commission  330 

To  Gregory  de  Cassado,  to  conclude, 

%\^'*EgoeiRexmeus.*  TiioA,  himself  tew'/A  the  king  (*  the  king 

like  the  other  charges,  is  from  and   I '),   *  using  himself  more 

Holinshed.      The  point  of  his  like  a  fdlow  to  [his]  Highness 

offence  was,  in  reality,  not  that  than  a  subject'    Catend.  {Hen. 

he  had  mentioned  himself  before  VI I L )     quoted     Stone,    Hoi 

the  king  '  as  who  would   say  p.  476  n. 

that  the  king  were  his  servant'  321.  Cassado;  so  Halle  and 

(Hoi.),  but  that  he  mentioned  Holinshed.    Sir  Gregory Casak; 
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sc.  II        King  Henry  the  Eighth 

Without  the  king's  will  or  the  state's  allowance, 
A  league  between  his  highness  and  Ferrara. 

Sirf.    That,  out  of  mere  ambition,    you  have 
caused 
Your  holy  hat  to  be  stamp'd  on  the  king's  coin. 

Sur,    Then  that   you   have   sent   innumerable 
substance — 
By  what  means  got,   I  leave  to  your  own  con- 
science— 
To  furnish  Rome,  and  to  prepare  the  ways 
You  have  for  dignities ;  to  the  mere  undoing 
Of  all  the  kingdom.     Many  more  there  are ;  330 

Which,  since  they  are  of  you,  and  odious, 
I  will  not  taint  my  mouth  with. 

Cham,  O  my  lord, 

Press  not  a  felling  man  too  far !  'tis  virtue : 
His  faults  lie  open  to  the  laws ;  let  them. 
Not  you,  correct  him.     My  heart  weeps  to  see  him 
So  little  of  his  great  self. 

Sur,  I  forgive  him. 

Suf,  Lord  cardinal,  the  king's  further  pleasure 
is, 
Because  all  those  things  you  have  done  of  late. 
By  your  power  legatine,  within  this  kingdom. 
Fall  into  the  compass  of  a  praemunire,  340 

That  therefore  such  a  writ  be  sued  against  you ; 
To  forfeit  all  your  goods,  lands,  tenements. 
Chattels,  and  whatsoever,  and  to  be 
Out  of  the  king's  protection.     This  is  my  charge. 

Nor.  And  so  we'll  leave  you  to  your  medi- 
tations 

340.  Fall  into  the  compass  of  and    confiscation     of     goods. 

a  pr(tmunire ;  \.^,  come  within  'Chattels,'   the   word    actually 

the  scope  of  the   laws  which  used  in  the  legal  writ  of  prse- 

restrained  the  introduction  of  a  munire,     was    substituted     by 

foreign  authority  into  England.  Theobald  for  Ff  '  castles.' 
The  punishment  was  outlawry 

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King  Henry  the  Eighth      act  m 

How  to  live  better.     For  your  stubborn  answer 

About  the  giving  back  the  great  seal  to  us. 

The  king  shall  know  it,  and»  no  doubt,  shall  thank 

you. 
So  fare  you  well,  my  little  good  lord  cardinal. 

[Exeunt  aU  but  Wolsey. 
WoL  So  farewell  to  the  little  good  you  bear  nae.  350 
Farewell  i  a  long  farewell,  to  all  my  greatness ! 
This  is  the  state  of  man :  to-day  he  puts  forth 
The  tender  leaves  of  hopes ;  to-morrow  blossoms, 
And  bears  his  blushing  honours  thick  upon  him ; 
The  third  day  comes  a  frost,  a  killing  frost. 
And,  when  he  thinks,  good  easy  man,  full  surely 
His  greatness  is  a-ripening,  nips  his  root. 
And  then  he  falls,  as  I  do.     I  have  ventured. 
Like  little  wanton  boys  that  swim  on  bladders. 
This  many  summers  in  a  sea  of  glory,  360 

But  far  beyond  my  depth :  my  high-blown  pride 
At  length  broke  under  me  and  now  has  left  me, 
Weary  and  old  with  service,  to  the  mercy 
Of  a  rude  stream,  that  must  for  ever  hide  me. 
Vain  pomp  and  glory  of  thb  world,  I  bate  ye : 
I  feel  my  heart  new  open'd.     O,  how  wretched 
Is  that  poor  man  that  hangs  on  princes'  favours ! 
There  is,  betwixt  that  smile  we  would  aspire  to. 
That  sweet  aspect  of  princes,  and  their  ruin, 
More  pangs  and  fears  than  wars  or  women  have :    370 
And  when  he  falls,  he  falls  like  Lucifer, 
Never  to  hope  again. 

Enter  Cromwell,  and  stands  amazed. 

Why,  how  now,  Cromwell ! 
Crom.  I  have  no  power  to  speak,  sir. 
WoL  What,  amazed 

At  my  misfortunes  ?  can  thy  spirit  wonder 
A  great  man  should  decline  ?     Nay,  an  you  weep, 
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sc.  II        King  Henry  the  Eighth 

I  am  falFn  indeed. 

Crom,  How  does  your  grace  ? 

WoL  Why,  well; 

Never  so  truly  happy,  my  good  Cromwell 
I  know  myself  now ;  and  I  feel  within  me 
A  peace  above  all  earthly  dignities, 
A  still  and  quiet  conscience.     The  king  has  cured 

me,  380 

I    humbly    thank    his    grace;    and   from    these 

shoulders, 
These  ruin'd  pillars,  out  of  pity,  taken 
A  load  would  sink  a  navy,  too  much  honour : 
O,  'tis  a  burthen,  Cromwell,  'tis  a  burthen 
Too  heavy  for  a  man  that  hopes  for  heaven ! 

Crom,  I  am  glad  your  grace  has  made  that 
right  use  of  it. 

WoL  I  hope  I  have :  I  am  able  now,  methinks. 
Out  of  a  fortitude  of  soul  I  feel, 
To  endure  more  miseries  and  greater  far 
Than  my  weak-hearted  enemies  dare  oflfer.  390 

What  news  abroad  ? 

Crom,  The  heaviest  and  the  worst 

Is  your  displeasure  with  the  king. 

WoL  God  bless  him  ! 

Crom, .  The  next  is,  that  Sir  Thomas  More  is 
chosen 
Lord  Chancellor  in  your  place. 

WoL  That 's  somewhat  sudden : 

But  he 's  a  learned  man.     May  he  continue 
Long  in  his  highness'  £avour,  and  do  justice 
For  truth's  sake  and  his  conscience ;  that  his  bones. 
When  he  has  run  his  course  and  sleeps  in  blessings, 
May  have  a  tomb  of  orphans'  tears  wept  on  'em ! 
What  more  ? 

Crom,  That  Cranmer  is  return'd  with  welcome,  400 

39a.  dispUasure^  disgrace. 
VOL.  VII  241  R 


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King  Henry  the  Eighth      actiu 

Instaird  lord  archbishop  of  Canterbury. 

Wol,  That 's  news  indeed 

Cram.  Last,  that  the  Lady  Anne, 

Whom  the  king  hath  in  secrecy  long  married, 
This  day  was  view'd  in  open  as  his  queen, 
Going  to  chapel ;  and  the  voice  is  now 
Only  about  her  coronation. 

Wb/.  There  was  the  weight  that  pulled  me  down. 
O  Cromwell, 
The  king  has  gone  beyond  me :  all  my  glories 
In  that  one  woman  I  have  lost  for  ever : 
No  sun  shall  ever  usher  forth  mine  honours,  410 

Or  gild  again  the  noble  troops  that  waited 
Upon  my  smiles.     Go,  get  thee  from  me,  Crom- 
well; 
I  am  a  poor  fall'n  man,  imworthy  now 
To  be  thy  lord  and  master :  seek  the  king ; 
That  sun,  I  pray,  may  never  set !  I  have  told  him 
What  and  how  true  thou  art :  he  will  advance  thee ; 
Some  little  memory  of  me  will  stir  him — 
I  know  his  noble  nature — not  to  let 
Thy  hopeful  service  perish  too :  good  Cromwell, 
Neglect  him  not ;  make  use  now,  and  provide         490 
For  thine  own  future  safety. 

Crom.  O  my  lord. 

Must  I,  then,  leave  you  ?  must  I  needs  forgo 
So  good,  so  noble  and  so  true  a  master  ? 
Bear  witness,  all  that  have  not  hearts  of  iron. 
With  what  a  sorrow  Cromwell  leaves  his  lord 
The  king  shall  have  my  service ;  but  my  prayers 
For  ever  and  for  ever  shall  be  yours. 

IVol  Cromwell,  I  did  not  think  to  shed  a  tear 
In  all  my  miseries ;  but  thou  hast  forced  me. 
Out  of  thy  honest  truth,  to  play  the  woman.  430 

404.  in  open,  in  public.  reached  me. 

408.  gime  btyoHd  mt,   over-         430.  truth,  fidelity. 

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sc.  n        King  Henry  the  Eighth 

Let 's  dry  our  eyes :  and  thus  fiar  hear  me,  Cromwell ; 
And,  when  I  am  forgotten,  as  I  shall  be. 
And  sleep  in  dull  cold  marble,  where  no  mention 
Of  me  more  must  be  heard  of,  say,  I  taught  thee, 
Say,  Wolsey,  that  once  trod  the  ways  of  glory. 
And  sounded  all  the  depths  and  shoals  of  honour, 
Found  thee  a  way,  out  of  his  wreck,  to  rise  in ; 
A  sure  and  safe  one,  though  thy  master  miss'd  it 
Mark  but  my  fall,  and  that  that  ruin'd  me. 
Cromwell,  I  charge  thee,  fling  away  ambition :        440 
By  that  sin  fell  the  angels ;  how  can  man,  then, 
The  image  of  his  Maker,  hope  to  win  by  it  ? 
Love  thyself  last :  cherish  those  hearts  that  hate 

thee; 
Corruption  wins  not  more  than  honesty. 
Still  in  thy  right  hand  carry  gentle  peace, 
To  silence  envious  tongues.     Be  just,  and  fear  not : 
Let  all  the  ends  thou  aim'st  at  be  thy  country's, 
Thy  God's,  and  truth's;  then  if  thou  fall'st,  O 

Cromwell, 
Thou  fall'st  a  blessed  martyr !     Serve  the  king ; 
And, — ^prithee,  lead  me  in :  450 

There  take  an  inventory  of  all  I  have. 
To  the  last  penny ;  'tis  the  king's :  my  robe, 
And  my  integrity  to  heaven,  is  all 
I  dare  now  call  mine  own.  O  Cromwell,  Cromwell ! 
Had  I  but  served  my  God  with  half  the  zeal 
I  served  my  king,  he  would  not  in  mine  age 
Have  left  me  naked  to  mine  enemies. 
Crom.  Good  sir,  have  patience. 
WoL  So  I  have.     Farewell 

The  hopes  of  court!    my  hopes  in   heaven  do 

dwell  \ExeunL 

^<^^  Held  I  but  served  my  God,      in  his   last   hours  to    'Master 
etc.      Holinshed  reports  these     Kingston.' 
words  as  addressed  by  Wolsey 

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King  Henry  the  Eighth      act  it 

ACT  IV. 

Scene  L     A  street  in  Westminster. 

Enter  two  Gentlemen,  meeting  one  another. 

First  Gent,  You  're  well  met  once  again. 

Sec.  Gent,  So  are  you. 

First  Gent,  You  come  to  take  your  stand  here, 
and  behold 
The  Lady  Anne  pass  from  her  coronation  ? 

Sec,   Gent,  'Tis  all  my  business.     At  our  last 
encounter, 
The  Duke  of  Buckingham  came  from  his  trial 

First  Gent,  Tis  very  true  :  but  that  time  oflfer'd 
sorrow ; 
This,  general  joy. 

Sec,  Gent,  *Tis  well :  the  citizens, 

I  am  sure,  have  shown  at  full  their  royal  minds — 
As,  let  'em  have  their  rights,  they  are  ever  for- 
ward— 
In  celebration  of  this  day  with  shows,  xo 

Pageants  and  sights  of  honour. 

First  Gent,  Never  greater. 

Nor,  I  '11  assure  you,  better  taken,  sir. 

Sec,   Gent,  May  I  be  bold  to  ask  what  that 
contains, 
That  paper  in  your  hand  ?' 

First  Gent,  Yes ;  'tis  the  list 

Of  those  that  claim  their  offices  this  day 
By  custom  of  the  coronation. 
The  Duke  of  Suffolk  is  the  first,  and  claims 

Sc.  I.  By  Fletcher  (Sp.). 
8.  fvya/ mt»dl^,  devotion  to  the  king,  *  loyalty.* 

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8c.  1        King  Henry  the  Eighth 

To  be  high-steward ;  next,  the  Duke  of  Norfolk, 
He  to  be  earl  marshal :  you  may  read  the  rest 

Sec,  Gent  I  thank  you,  sir :  had  I  not  known 
those  customs,  ao 

I  should  have  been  beholding  to  your  paper. 
But,  I  beseech  you,  what 's  become  of  Katharine, 
The  princess  dowager  ?  how  goes  her  business  ? 

Inrst  Gent  That   I   can   tell   you   too.     The 
Archbishop 
Of  Canterbury,  accompanied  with  other 
Learned  and  reverend  fathers  of  his  order, 
Held  a  late  court  at  Dunstable,  six  miles  off 
From  Ampthill  where  the  princess  lay ;  to  which 
She  was  often  cited  by  them,  but  appeared  not : 
And,  to  be  short,  for  not  appearance  and  30 

The  king's  late  scruple,  by  the  main  assent 
Of  all  these  learned  men  she  was  divorced. 
And  the  late  marriage  made  of  none  effect : 
Since  which  she  was  removed  to  Kimbolton, 
Where  she  remains  now  sick. 

Sec.  Gent  Alas,  good  lady ! 

[Trumpets. 

The  trumpets  sound  :  stand  close,  the  queen  is 

coming.  [Hautboys. 

THE  ORDER  OF  THE  CORONATION. 

1.  A  lively  flourish  of  Trumpets. 

2.  Then,  two  Judges. 

3.  Lord   Chancellor,   with   the   purse  and  mace 

before  him. 

4.  Choristers,  singing.  [Music. 

5.  Mayor  of  London,  bearing  the  mace.      Then 

31.   main,  general.  34.    Kimbolton;    then    pro- 

33.  late  marriage,  the  mar-      nounced,  as  Ff  print  it,  *  Kim- 
riage  till  lately  held  valid.  malton. ' 

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King  Henry  the  Eighth      activ 

Garter,  in  his  coat  of  armsy  and  on  his  head 
a  gilt  copper  crown, 

6.  Marquess  Dorset,  bearing  a  sceptre  of  gold^ 

on  his  head  a  demi-coronal  of  gold.  With 
hinty  the  Earl  of  Surrey,  bearing  the  rod 
of  silver  with  the  dove,  crowned  with  an 
earrs  coronet.     Collars  of  SS. 

7.  Duke  of  Suffolk,  in  his  robe  of  estate^  his 

coronet  on  his  head^  bearing  a  long  white 
wand,  as  high-steward.  With  him^  the 
Duke  of  Norfolk,  with  the  rod  of  mar- 
shalshipy  a  coronet  on  his  head.  Collars 
ofSS. 

8.  A  canopy  borne  by  four  of  the  Cinque-ports ; 

under  it,  the  Queen  in  her  robe;  in  her 
hair  richly  adorned  with  pearl,  crowned. 
On  ecu:h  side  her,  the  Bishops  of  London 
and  Winchester. 

9.  The  old  Duchess  of  Norfolk,  in  a   coronal 

of  gold,  wrought  with  flowers,  bearing  the 
Queen's  train, 

10.  Certain   Ladies    or  Countesses,    with    plain 

circlets  of  gold  without  flojvers. 
They  pass  over  the  stage  in  order  and  state. 

Sec.  Gent  A  royal  train,   believe  me.     These 
I  know : 
Who 's  that  that  bears  the  sceptre  ? 

First  Gent.  Marquess  Dorset : 

And  that  the  Earl  of  Surrey,  with  the  rod. 

Sec,    Gent    A   bold    brave    gentleman.     That 
should  be  40 

The  Duke  of  Suffolk? 

First  Gent  'Tis  the  same  :  high-steward. 

stage  dir.  6.    SS.  (i.e.  *  Esses,'  as  the  Ff  print),  pieces  shaped 
like  the  letter  S. 

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sc.  I         King  Hchry  the  Eighth 

Sec.  Gent  And  that  my  Lord  of  Norfolk  ? 
First  Gent  Yes. 

Sec,  Gent  Heaven  bless  thee ! 

[Looking  on  the  Queen, 
Thou  hast  the  sweetest  face  I  ever  look'd  on. 
Sir,  as  I  have  a  soul,  she  is  an  angel ; 
Our  king  has  all  the  Indies  in  his  arms, 
And  more  and  richer,  when  he  strains  that  lady : 
I  cannot  blame  his  conscience. 

First  Gent  They  that  bear 

The  cloth  of  honour  over  her,  are  four  barons 
Of  the  Cinque-ports. 

Sec,  Gent  Those  men  are  happy;  and  so  are 
all  are  near  her.  50 

I  take  it,  she  that  carries  up  the  train 
Is  that  old  noble  lady,  the  Duchess  of  Norfolk. 
First  Gent  It  is;  and  all  the  rest  are  countesses. 
Sec,  Gent,  Their  coronets  say  so.     These  are 
stars  indeed ; 
And  sometimes  falling  ones. 

First  Gent,  No  more  of  that. 

\Exit  procession^  and  then  a  great  flourish 

of  trumpets. 

£nter  a  third  Gentleman. 

First  Gent,  God  save  you,  shr !  where  have  you 

been  broiling  ? 
Third  Gent.  Among  the  crowd  i*  the  Abbey; 
where  a  finger 
Could  not  be'wedged  in  more :  I  am  stifled 
With  the  mere  rankness  of  their  joy. 

Sec,  Gent,  You  saw 

The  ceremony  ? 

Third  Gent       That  I  did. 

First  Gent,  How  was  it  ?  60 

46.  strains,  Clasps.  58.  stifled  (three  syllables). 

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King  Henry  the  Eighth      actw 

Third  Gent  Well  worth  the  seeing. 

Su.  Gent    '  Good  sir,  speak  it  to  us. 

TTtird  Gent.  As  well  as  I  am  able.     The  rich 
stream 
Of  lords  and  ladies,  having  brought  the  queen 
To  a  prepared  place  in  the  choir,  fell  off 
A  distance  from  her ;  while  her  grace  sat  down 
To  rest  awhile,  some  half  an  hour  or  so. 
In  a  rich  chair  of  state,  opposing  freely 
The  beauty  of  her  person  to  the  people. 
Believe  me,  sir,  she  is  the  goodliest  woman 
That  ever  lay  by  man :  which  when  the  people        70 
Had  the  full  view  o^  such  a  noise  arose 
As  the  shrouds  make  at  sea  in  a  stiiOf  tempest. 
As  loud,  and  to  as  many  tunes :  hats,  cloaks, — 
Doublets,  I  think, — flew  up ;  and  had  their  faces 
Been  loose,  this  day  they  had  been  lost     Such  joy 
I  never  saw  before.     Great-bellied  women, 
That  had  not  half  a  week  to  go,  like  rams 
In  the  old  time  of  war,  would  shake  the  press, 
And  make  'em  reel  before  'em.     No  man  living 
Could  say  '  This  is  my  wife '  there ;  all  were  woven 
So  strangely  in  one  piece.  80 

Sec,  Gent  But,  what  foUow'd? 

Third  Gent    At  length   her  grace  rose,  and 
with  modest  paces 
Came  to  the  altar ;  where  she  kned'd,  and  saintlike 
Cast  her  fair  eyes  to  heaven  and  pray'd  devoutly. 
Then  rose  again  and  boVd  her  to  the  people : 
When  by  the  Archbishop  of  Canterbury 
She  had  all  the  royal  makings  of  a  queen ; 
As  holy  oil,  Edward  Confessor's  crown. 
The  rod,  and  bird  of  peace,  and  all  such  emblems 
Laid  nobly  on  her :  which  performed,  the  choir,       90 
With  all  the  choicest  music  of  the  kingdom. 
Together  sung  *  Te  Deum.'     So  she  parted, 
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SC.  I 


King  Henry  the  Eighth 


And  with  the  same  full  state  paced  back  again 
To  York-place,  where  the  feast  is  held. 

First  Gent  Sir, 

You  must  no  more  call  it  York-place,  that 's  past ; 
For,  since  the  cardinal  fell,  that  title 's  lost : 
'Tis  now  the  king's,  and  call'd  Whitehall. 

Third  Gent  I  know  it ; 

But  'tis  so  lately  alter'd,  that  the  old  name 
Is  fresh  about  me. 

Sec,  Gent  What  two  reverend  bishops 

Were  those  that  went  on  each  side  of  the  queen  ?    loo 

Third  Gent  Stokesly  and  Gardiner ;  the  one  of 
Winchester, 
Newly  preferred  from  the  king's  secretary. 
The  other,  London. 

Sec,  Gent  He  of  Winchester 

Is  held  no  great  good  lover  of  the  archbishop's. 
The  virtuous  Cranmer. 

Third  Gent  All  the  land  knows  that : 

However,  yet  there  is  no  great  breach;  when  it 

comes, 
Cranmer  will  find  a  friend  will  not  shrink  from  him. 

Sec.  Gent  Who  may  that  be,  I  pray  you  ? 

Third  Gent  Thomas  Cromwell ; 

A  man  in  much  esteem  with  the  king,  aiid  truly 
A  worthy  friend.     The  king  has  made  him  master  no 
O*  the  jewel  house, 
And  one,  already,  of  the  privy  council. 

Sec,  Gent  He  will  deserve  more. 

Third  Gent  Yes,  without  all  doubt. 

Come,  gentlemen,  ye  shall  go  my  way,  which 
Is  to  the  court,  and  there  ye  shall  be  my  guests : 
Something  I  can  command     As  I  walk  thither, 
1 11  tell  ye  more. 

Both,         You  may  command  us,  sir.    [Exeunt 

lox.  the  one,  viz.  Gardiner. 

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King  Henry  the  Eighth      act  tv 


Scene  II.     Kimbolton, 

Enter  Katharine,  Dowager^  sick;  led  between 
Griffith,  her  gentleman  usher^  and  Pa- 
tience, her  woman. 

Grif.  How  does  your  grace  ? 

Kath.  O  Griffith,  sick  to  death  ! 

My  legs,  like  loaden  branches,  bow  to  the  earth. 
Willing  to  leave  their  burthen.     Reach  a  chair. 
So ;  now,  methinks,  I  feel  a  little  ease. 
Didst  thou  not  tell  me,  Griffith,  as  thou  led'st  me. 
That  the  great  child  of  honour,  Cardinal  Wolsey, 
Was  dead  ? 

Grif,  Yes,  madam ;  but  I  think  your  grace, 
Out  of  the  pain  you  suffered,  gave  no  ear  to 't. 

Kath.  Prithee,  good  Griffith,  tell  me  how  he  died  : 
If  well,  he  stepp'd  before  me,  happily  lo 

For  my  example. 

Grif,  Well,  the  voice  goes,  madam : 

For  after  the  stout  Earl  Northumberland 
Arrested  him  at  York,  and  brought  him  forward, 
As  a  man  sorely  tainted,  to  his  answer. 
He  fell  sick  suddenly,  and  grew  so  ill 
He  could  not  sit  his  mule. 

Kath,  Alas,  poor  man  I 

Grif,    At  last,  with  easy  roads,  he   came   to 
Leicester, 
Lodged  in  the  abbey ;  where  the  reverend  abbot. 
With  all  his  covent,  honourably  received  him ; 
To  whom  he  gave  these  words,  *  O  father  abbot,       ao 
An  old  man,  broken  with  the  storms  of  state, 

Sc,  2.  By  Fletcher  (Sp. ).  14.  to  his  answer,  to  stand 

10.  happily t  haply.  trial. 

11.  voice,  report.  19.  covent,  convent. 

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9c.  II        King  Henry  the  Eighth 

Is  come  to  lay  his  weary  bones  among  ye ; 

Give  him  a  little  earth  for  charity ! ' 

So  went  to  bed ;  where  eagerly  his  sickness 

Pursued  him  still ;  and  three  nights  after  this, 

About  the  hour  of  eight,  which  he  himself 

Foretold  should  be  his  last,  full  of  repentance. 

Continual  meditations,  tears  and  sorrows, 

He  gave  his  honours  to  the  world  again, 

His  blessed  part  to  heaven,  and  slept  in  peace.         30 

Kath,  So  may  he  rest ;  his  faults  lie  gently  on  him ! 
Yet  thus  far,  Griffith,  give  me  leave  to  speak  him, 
And  yet  with  charity.     He  was  a  man 
Of  an  unbounded  stomach,  ever  ranking 
Himself  with  princes ;  one  that  by  suggestion 
Tied  all  the  kingdom  :  simony  was  fair-play : 
His  own  opinion  was  his  law :  i'  the  presence 
He  would  say  untruths,  and  be  ever  double 
Both  in  his  words  and  meaning :  he  was  never. 
But  where  he  meant  to  ruin,  pitiful :  40 

His  promises  were,  as  he  then  was,  mighty ; 
But  his  performance,  as  he  is  now,  nothing : 
Of  his  own  body  he  was  ill,  and  gave 
The  clergy  ill  example. 

Grif,  Noble  madam, 

Men's  evil  manners  live  in  brass ;  their  virtues 
We  write  in  water.     May  it  please  your  highness 
To  hear  me  speak  his  good  now  ? 

34.  stomach,  arrogance.  Holinshed's    phrase,    'he   was 

35.  suggestion,  crafty,  under-  vicious  of  his  body,'  is  slightly 
hand  practices.  more  specific  (iii.  922). 

^    n^'  J  -L.        u.  •  .    i_     J  47-  ^^^  *»^  sp^^  Aw  good, 

36.  r,^^.  brought  into  bond-  Griffith's  defence  of  Wol^y  is 
age.  But  Hohnshed  s  phrase  ,^^^^  ^^  character  of  him 
'by  crafty  suggestions  gat  into  .^^  Edmund Campian'siyw/^^/ 
his  hands  innumerable  trea^re.  j^^^^^^  ^  ^^^  ^  Holinshed. 
gives  some  plausibility  to  Han-  ^he  queen's  indictinent  of  him 
mer  s  conjecture    tithed.  expresses  the  view  conveyed  by 

43.  O/Ms  own  body  he  was  ill,     Halle,  also  quoted  in  Holinshed. 

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King  Henry  th^  Eighth      act  iv 

Kath.  Yes,  good  Griffith ; 

I  were  malicious  else. 

Grif,  This  cardinal, 

Though  from  an  humble  stock,  undoubtedly 
Was  fashion'd  to  much  honour  from  his  cradle.         50 
He  was  a  scholar,  and  a  ripe  and  good  one ; 
Exceeding  wise,  fair-spoken,  and  persuading : 
Lofty  and  sour  to  them  that  loved  him  not ; 
But  to  those  men  that  sought  him  sweet  as  summer. 
And  though  he  were  unsatisfied  in  getting. 
Which  was  a  sin,  yet  in  bestowing,  madam, 
He  was  most  princely  :  ever  witness  for  him 
Those  twins  of  learning  that  he  raised  in  you, 
Ipswich  and  Oxford  I  one  of  which  fell  with  him, 
Unwilling  to  oudive  the  good  that  did  it ;  60 

The  other,  though  unfinished,  yet  so  famous. 
So  excellent  in  art,  and  still  so  rising, 
That  Christendom  shall  ever  speak  his  virtue. 
His  overthrow  heap'd  happiness  upon  him ; 
For  then,  and  not  till  then,  he  felt  himself. 
And  found  the  blessedness  of  being  little  : 
And,  to  add  greater  honours  to  his  age 
Than  man  could  give  him,  he  died  fearing  God. 

Kaih,  After  my  death  I  wish  no  other  herald, 
No  other  speaker  of  my  living  actions,  70 

To  keep  mine  honour  from  corruption. 
But  such  an  honest  chronicler  as  Griffith. 
Whom  I  most  hated  living,  thou  hast  made  me, 
With  thy  religious  truth  and  modesty, 
Now  in  his  ashes  honour :  peace  be  with  him ! 
Patience,  be  near  me  still ;  and  set  me  lower : 

59.  Ipswich  and  Oxford;  viz.  goodness  (te.  the  ben^actor) 
*  Wolsey's  College '  at  Ipswich,  that  founded  it.  The  Ipswidi 
and  Christ  Church  (originally  college,  as  Holinshed  says,  was 
Cardinal  College),  Oxford.  'overthrown  with  his  fadL'     A 

60.  the  good  that  did  it,  the  single  gateway  remains. 

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sc.  II        King  Henry  the  Eighth 

I  have  not  long  to  trouble  thee.     Good  Griffith, 
Cause  the  musicians  play  me  that  sad  note 
I  named  my  knell,  whilst  I  sit  meditating 
On  that  celestial  harmony  I  go  to.  80 

[Sad  and  solemn  music. 
Grif.  She  is  asleep :  good  wench,  let 's  sit  down 
quiet. 
For  fear  we  wake  her :  softly,  gentle  Patience. 

Jlu  vision,  Enter^  solemnly  tripping  one  after 
another^  six  personages^  clad  in  white  robeSy 
wearing  on  their  heads  garlands  of  bays^  and 
golden  vizards  on  their  faces ;  branches  of 
bays  or  palm  in  their  hands.  They  first  con- 
gee unto  ?ier,  then  dance;  and^  at  certain 
changes^  the  first  two  hold  a  spare  garland 
aver  her  head ;  at  which  the  other  four  make 
reverent  curtsies ;  then  the  two  that  held  the 
garland  deliver  the  same  to  the  other  next 
twOy  who  observe  the  same  order  in  their 
changes^  and  holding  the  garland  over  her 
head:  which  done,  they  deliver  the  same  gar- 
land to  the  last  two,  who  likewise  observe 
the  same  order:  at  which,  as  it  were  by  in- 
spiration, she  makes  in  her  sleep  signs  of 
rejoicing,  and  holdeth  up  her  hands  to  heaven  : 
and  so  in  their  dancing  vanish,  carrying  the 
garland  with  them.      The  music  continues. 

Kath.  Spirits  of  peace,  where  are  ye  ?  are  ye  all 
gone, 
And  leave  me  here  in  wretchedness  behind  ye  ? 

Grif  Madam,  we  are  here. 

Kath.  It  is  not  you  I  call  for : 

Saw  ye  none  enter  since  I  slept  ? 

Grif.  None,  madam. 

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King  Henry  the  Eighth      act  w 

Kath,  No  ?     Saw  you  not,  even  now,  a  blessed 
troop 
Invite  me  to  a  banquet ;  whose  bright  faces 
Cast  thousand  beams  upon  me,  like  the  sun  ? 
They  promised  me  eternal  happiness ;  90 

And  brought  me  garlands,  Griffith,  which  I  feel 
I  am  not  worthy  yet  to  wear :  I  shall,  assuredly. 

Grif.  I  am  most  jo3rful,  madam,  such  good  dreams 
Possess  your  fancy. 

Kath.  Bid  the  music  leave. 

They  are  harsh  and  heavy  to  me.       \Music  ceases, 

Pat  Do  you  note 

How  much  her  grace  is  altered  on  the  sudden  ? 
How  long  her  face  is  drawn  ?  how  pale  she  looks. 
And  of  an  earthy  cold  ?     Mark  her  eyes ! 

Grif,  She  is  going,  wench :  pray,  pray. 

Fat  Heaven  comfort  her ! 

Enter  d  Messenger. 

Mess,  An 't  like  your  grace, — 
Kath,  You  are  a  saucy  fellow :  100 

Deserve  we  no  more  reverence  ? 

Grif,  You  are  to  blame, 

Knowing  she  will  not  lose  her  wonted  greatness, 
To  use  so  rude  behaviour ;  go  to,  kneel. 

Mess,    I  humbly    do    entreat    your    highness' 
pardon ; 
My  haste  made  me  unmannerly.     There  is  staying 
A  gentleman,  sent  from  the  king,  to  see  you. 
Kath,  Admit  him  entrance,  Griffith:    but  this 
fellow 
Let  me  ne'er  see  again. 

\Exeunt  Griffith  and  Messenger, 

Re-enter  Griffith,  with  Capuous. 
If  my  sight  fail  not, 
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sc.  11        King  Henry  the  Eighth 

You  should  be  lord  ambassador  from  the  emperor, 
My  royal  nephew,  and  your  name  Capucius.  no 

Cap,  Madam,  the  same ;  your  servant. 

KcUK  O,  my  lord. 

The  times  and  titles  now  are  alter'd  strangely 
With  me  since  first  you  knew  me.     But,  I  pray 

you. 
What  is  your  pleasure  with  me  ? 

Cap.  Noble  lady, 

First,  mine  own  service  to  your  grace ;  the  next. 
The  king's  request  that  I  would  visit  you ; 
Who  grieves  much  for  your  weakness,  and  by  me 
Sends  you  his  princely  commendations, 
And  heartily  entreats  you  take  good  comfort. 

Kath,  O  my  good  lord,  that  comfort  comes  too 
late  'y  X30 

*Tis  like  a  pardon  after  execution  : 
That  gentle  physic,  given  in  time,  had  cured  me ; 
But  now  I  am  past  all  comforts  here,  but  prayers. 
How  does  his  highness  ? 

Cap.  Madam,  in  good  health. 

Kath.  So  may  he  ever  do !  and  ever  flourish. 
When  I  shall  dwell  with  worms,  and  my  poor  name 
Banish'd  the  kingdom  !     Patience,  is  that  letter, 
I  caused  you  write,  yet  sent  away  ? 

Pat  No,  madam. 

\Gtvif^  it  to  Katharine, 

Kath.  Shr,  I  most  humbly  pray  you  to  deliver 
This  to  my  lord  the  king. 

Cap.  Most  willing,  madam.  130 

Kath.    In   which   I   have  commended   to   his 
goodness 
The  model  of  our  chaste  loves,  his  young  daughter : 
The  dews  of  heaven  fall  thick  in  blessings  on  her ! 
Beseeching  him  to  give  her  virtuous  breeding, — 
132.  model,  image  in  little. 

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King  Henry  the  Eighth      activ 

She  is  young,  and  of  a  noble  modest  nature, 

I  hope  she  will  deserve  well, — and  a  little 

To  love  her  for  her  mother's  sake,  that  loved  him, 

Heaven  knows  how  dearly.    My  next  poor  petition 

Is,  that  his  noble  grace  would  have  some  pity 

Upon  my  wretched  women,  that  so  long  140 

Have  followed  both  my  fortunes  faithfully : 

Of  which  there  is  not  one,  I  dare  avow, 

And  now  I  should  not  lie,  but  will  deserve. 

For  virtue  and  true  beauty  of  the  soul, 

For  honesty  and  decent  carriage, 

A  right  good  husband,  let  him  be  a  noble : 

And,  sure,  those  men  are  happy  that  shall  have  'em. 

The  last  is,  for  my  men ;  they  are  the  poorest. 

But  poverty  could  never  draw  'em  from  me ; 

That  they  may  have  their  wages  duly  paid  'em,       150 

And  something  over  to  remember  me  by : 

If  heaven  had  pleased  to  have  given  me  longer 

life 
And  able  means,  we  had  not  parted  thus. 
These  are  the  whole   contents:    and,   good   my 

lord. 
By  that  you  love  the  dearest  in  this  world. 
As  you  wish  Christian  peace  to  souls  departed, 
Stand  these  poor  people's  friend,  and  urge  the 

king 
To  do  me  this  last  right 

Cap.  By  heaven,  I  will, 

Or  let  me  lose  the  fashion  of  a  man ! 

Katk.  I  thank  you,  honest  lord.     Remember  me  160 
In  all  humility  unto  his  highness : 
Say  his  long  trouble  now  is  passing 
Out  of  this  world ;  tell  him,  in  death  I  bless'd  him, 
For  so  I  will.     Mine  eyes  grow  dim.     Farewell, 
My  lord.     Griflfith,  farewell.     Nay,  Patience, 
You  must  not  leave  me  yet :  I  must  to  bed ; 
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ACTv       King  Henry  the  Eighth 

Call  in  more  women.     When  I  am  dead,  good 

wench, 
Let  me  be  used  with  honour :  strew  me  over 
With  maiden  flowers,  that  all  the  world  may  know 
I  was  a  chaste  wife  to  my  grave :  embalm  me,        170 
Then  lay  me  forth :  although  unqueen'd,  yet  like 
A  queen,  and. daughter  to  a  king,  inter  me. 
I  can  no  more.  [Exeun^f  leading  Katharine, 


ACT  V. 

Scene  I.     London,     A  gallery  in  the  palace. 

Enter  Gardiner,  Bishop  of  Winchester,  a  Page 
with  a  torch  before  him^  met  by  Sir  Thomas 
Lovell. 

Gar  It 's  one  o'clock,  boy,  is 't  not  ? 

Boy.  It  hath  struck. 

Gar,  These  should  be  hours  for  necessities, 
Not  for  delights  ;  times  to  repair  our  nature 
With  comforting  repose,  and  not  for  us 
To  waste  these  times.      Good  hour  of  night.  Sir 

Thomas ! 
Whither  so  late? 

Lov,  Came  you  from  the  king,  my  lord? 

Gar,  I  did.  Sir  Thomas ;  and  left  him  at  primero 
With  the  Duke  of  Suffolk. 

Lov,  I  must  to  him  too, 

Before  he  go  to  bed.     I  '11  take  my  leave. 

Gar,  Not  yet,  Sir  Thomas  LovelL     What 's  the 
matter  ? 
It  seems  you  are  in  haste :  an  if  there  be 
7.  prinuro,  a  game  of  cards. 

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King  Henry  the  Eighth       actv 

No  great  offence  belongs  to 't,  give  your  friend 
Some  touch  of  your  late  business :    affairs,  that 

walk, 
As  they  say  spirits  do,  at  midnight,  have 
In  them  a  wilder  nature  than  the  business 
That  seeks  dispatch  by  day. 

Lov,  My  lord,  I  love  you ; 

And  durst  commend  a  secret  to  your  ear 
Much  weightier  than  this  work.     The  queen 's  in 

labour. 
They  say,  in  great  extremity ;  and  fear'd 
She  '11  with  the  labour  end. 

Gar,  The  fruit  she  goes  with  m 

I  pray  for  heartily,  that  it  may  find 
Good   time,    and   live:    but   for  the   stock.    Sir 

Thomas, 
I  wish  it  grubb'd  up  now. 

Lov,  Methinks  I  could 

Cry  the  amen ;  and  yet  my  conscience  says 
She 's  a  good  creature,  and,  sweet  lady,  does 
Deserve  our  better  wishes. 

Gar,  But,  sir,  sir. 

Hear  me,  Sir  Thomas  :  you  're  a  gentleman 
Of  mine  own  way ;  I  know  you  wise,  reHgious  ; 
And,  let  me  tell  you,  it  will  ne'er  be  well, 
'Twill  not.  Sir  Thomas  Lovell,  take 't  of  me,  30 

Till  Cranmer,  Cromwell,  her  two  hands,  and  she. 
Sleep  in  their  graves, 

Lov,  Now,  sir,  you  speak  of  two 

The  most  remarked  i*  the  kingdom.     As  for  Crom- 
well, 
Beside  that  of  the  jewel  house,  is  made  master 
O'  the  rolls,  and  the  king's  secretary ;  further,  sir, 

13.  touch,  hint.  at  midnight'-  . 

ib.    your  late  business,    i.e.  28.   Of  mine  own  way,  oi  mj 

business  that    '  seeks  despatch     own  religious  faith. 
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8c.  I         King  Henry  the  Eighth 

Stands  in  the  gap  and  trade  of  moe  prefennents, 
With  which  the  time  will  load  him.     The  arch- 
bishop 
Is  the  king's  hand  and  tongue;    and  who  dare 

speak 
One  syllable  against  him  ? 

Gar.  Yes,  yes,  Sir  Thomas, 

There  are  that  dare ;  and  I  myself  have  ventured     40 
To  speak  my  mind  of  him :  and  indeed  this  day, 
Sir,  I  may  tell  it  you,  I  think  I  have 
Incensed  the  lords  o'  the  council,  that  he  is, 
For  so  I  know  he  is,  they  know  he  is, 
A  most  arch  heretic,  a  pestilence 
That  does  infect  the  land :  with  which  they  moved 
Have  broken  with  the  king ;  who  hath  so  far 
Given  ear  to  our  complaint,  of  his  great  grace 
And  princely  care  foreseeing  those  fell  mischiefs 
Our  reasons  laid  before  him,  hath  commanded         50 
To-morrow  morning  to  the  council-board 
He  be  convented.     He  *s  a  rank  weed.  Sir  Thomas, 
And  we  must  root  him  out.     From  your  affairs 
I  hinder  you  too  long:  good  night.  Sir  Thomas. 

Lov.  Many  good  nights,  my  lord:  I  rest  your 
servant.  [Exeunt  Gardiner  and  Page. 

Enter  the  King  and  Suffolk. 

King,  Charles,  I  will  play  no  more  to-night ; 
My  mind 's  not  on 't ;  you  are  too  hard  for  me. 

Suf,  Sir,  I  did  never  win  of  you  before. 

King,  But  little,  Charles  ; 
Nor  shall  not,  when  my  fancy 's  on  my  play.  60 

36.  in  the  gap  and  trade  of  ments,  *  gap  *  to  their  inevitable- 

irwe   preferments,    Le.    in   the  ness ;   Cromwell  occupying,  as 

beaten  track  where  preferment  it  were,  a  narrow  pass  where 

must  needs  befall  him.    '  Trade '  '  preferment  '      cannot     evade 

(trodden   path)    refers    to    the  him. 

rapid  succession  of  the  appoint-  53.  convented,  convened. 

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King  Henry  the  Eighth       act  v 

Now,  LoTcU,  from  the  queen  what  is  the  news  ? 

Lov>  I  could  not  personally  deliver  to  her 
What  you  commanded  me,  but  by  her  woman 
I  sent  your  message ;  who  retum'd  her  thanks 
In  the  greatest  humbleness,  and  desired  your  high- 
ness 
Most  heartily  to  pray  for  her. 

King,  What  sa/st  thou,  ha  ? 

To  pray  for  her  ?  what,  is  she  crying  out  ? 

Lov,  So  said  her  woman ;  and  that  her  suffer- 
ance made 
Almost  each  pang  a  death. 

King,  Alas,  good  lady ! 

Suf,  God  safely  quit  her  of  her  burthen,  and        70 
With  gentle  travail,  to  the  gladding  of 
Your  highness  with  an  heir ! 

King.  'Tis  midnight,  Charles  ; 

Prithee,  to  bed  ;  and  in  thy  prayers  remember 
The  estate  of  my  poor  queen.     Leave  me  alone  ; 
For  I  must  think  of  that  which  company 
Would  not  be  friendly  to. 

Suf,  I  wish  your  highness 

A  quiet  night ;  and  my  good  mistress  will 
Remember  in  my  prayers. 

King,  Charles,  good  night.     \Exit  Suffolk, 

Enter  Sir  Anthony  Denny. 

Well,  sir,  what  follows  ? 

Den,  Sir,  I  have  brought  my  lord  the  archbishop,  80 
As  you  commanded  me. 

King,  Ha!  Canterbury? 

Den.  Ay,  my  good  lord. 

King,  Tis  true :  where  is  he,  Denny  ? 

Den,  He  attends  your  highness'  pleasure. 

King,  Bring  him  to  us. 


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King  Henry  the  Eighth 


Lav,    [Aside]    This  is  about  that  which   the 
bishop  spake : 
I  am  happily  come  hither. 

He-enter  Denny,  with  Cranmer. 

King,  Avoid  the  gallery.     [Laveil  seems  to  stay.] 
Ha  \  I  have  said     Be  gone. 
What !  [Exeunt  Lovell  and  Denny. 

Cran.  [Aside]  I  am  fearful:  wherefore  frowns 
he  thus  ? 
Tis  his  asp^t  of  terror.     All 's  not  well 

King.  How  now,  my  lord!    you  do  desire  to 
know 
Wherefore  I  sent  for  you. 

Cran.  [Kneeling]  It  is  my  duty 

To  attend  your  highness'  pleasure. 

King.  Pray  you,  arise. 

My  good  and  gracious  Lord  of  Canterbury. 
Come,  you  and  I  must  walk  a  turn  together ; 
I  have  news  to  tell  you :    come,  come,  give  me 

yotir  hand. 
Ah,  my  good  lord,  I  grieve  at  what  I  speak. 
And  am  right  sorry  to  repeat  what  follows : 
I  have,  and  most  unwillingly,  of  late 
Heard  many  grievous,  I  do  say,  my  lord. 
Grievous  complaints  of  you ;  which,  being  con- 
sidered. 
Have  moved  us  and  our  council,  that  you  shall       i 
This  morning  come  before  us ;  where,  I  know, 
You  cannot  with  such  freedom  purge  yourself, 
But  that,  till  further  trial  in  those  charges 
Which  will  require  your  answer,  you  must  take 
Your  patience  to  you,  and  be  well  contented 
To  make  your  house  our  Tower :  you  a  brother  of  us, 

85.  Avoid,  quit 

Z06.  a  brother  ^  la,  Le.  a  member  of  our  Privy  CounciL 

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King  Henry  the  Eighth       actt 

It  fits  we  thus  proceed,  or  else  no  witness 
Would  come  against  you. 

Cran,  [Kneeling]  I  humbly  thank  your  highness ; 
And  am  right  glad  to  catch  this  good  occasion 
Most  throughly  to  be  winnow'd,  where  my  chaff      no 
And  com  shall  fly  asunder :  for,  I  know, 
There's    none    stands   under    more  calumnious 

tongues 
Than  I  m3rself,  poor  man. 

King,  Stand  up,  good  Cant«i>ury : 

Thy  truth  and  thy  integrity  is  rooted 
In  us,  thy  friend :  give  me  thy  hand,  stand  up : 
Prithee,  let 's  walk.     Now,  by  my  holidame. 
What  manner  of  man  are  you  ?     My  lord,  I  look'd 
You  would  have  given  me  your  petition,  that 
I  should  have  ta'en  some  pains  to  bring  together 
Yourself  and  your  accusers ;   and  to  have  heard 

you,  X30 

Without  indurance,  further. 

Cran,  Most  dread  liege. 

The  good  I  stand  on  is  my  truth  and  honesty  : 
If  they  shall  fail,  I,  with  mine  enemies, 
Will  triumph  o*er  my  person ;  which  I  weigh  not, 
Being  of  those  virtues  vacant     I  fear  nothing 
What  can  be  said  against  me. 

King.  Know  you  not 

How  your  state  stands  i'  the  world,  with  the  whole 

world? 
Your   enemies  are  many,  and  not  small;    their 

practices 
Must  bear  the  same  proportion ;  and  not  ever 
The  justice  and  the  truth  o'  the  question  carries      130 
The  due  o'  the  verdict  with  it :  at  what  ease 

I3Z.  indurance,  confinement,      ground. 
The  word  is  from  Holinshed. 

133.   TMe  good,  the  vantage-         139.  not  ever,  not  always. 

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8c.  I        King  Henry  the  Eighth 

Might  corrupt  minds  procure  knaves  as  corrupt 
To  swear  against  you  ?  such  things  have  been  done. 
You  are  potently  opposed ;  and  with  a  malice 
Of  as  great  size.     Ween  you  of  better  luck, 
I  mean,  in  perjured  witness,  than  your  master, 
Whose  minister  you  are,  whiles  here  he  lived 
Upon  this  naughty  earth  ?     Go  to,  go  to ; 
You  take  a  precipice  for  no  leap  of  danger, 
And  woo  your  own  destruction. 

Cran.  God  and  your  majesty     i 

Protect  mine  innocence,  or  I  fall  into 
The  trap  is  laid  for  me ! 

King.  Be  of  good  cheer ; 

They  shall  no  more  prevail  than  we  give  way  to. 
Keep  comfort  to  you ;  and  this  morning  see 
You  do  appear  before  them :  if  they  shall  chance. 
In  charging  you  with  matters,  to  commit  you. 
The  best  persuasions  to  the  contrary 
Fail  not  to  use,  and  with  what  vehemency 
The  occasion  shall  instruct  you :  if  entreaties 
Will  render  you  no  remedy,  this  ring  : 

Deliver  them,  and  your  appeal  to  us- 
There  make  before  them.     Look,  the  good  man 

weeps ! 
He's    honest,    on    mine    honour.     God's    blest 

mother ! 
I  swear  he  is  true-hearted ;  and  a  soul 
None  better  in  my  kingdom.     Get  you  gone. 
And  do  as  I  have  bid  you.     [Exit  Cranmer.'\ 

He  has  strangled 
His  language  in  his  tears. 

Enter  Old  Lady,  Ijov^kia.  following. 

Gent  [  Within]  Come  back :  what  mean  you  ? 
Old  L.  1 11  not  come  back  \  the  tidings  that 
I  bring 

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King  Henry  the  Eighth       actv 

Will  make  my  boldness  maimars.  Now,  good  angels 
Fly  o'er  thy  royal  head,  and  shade  thy  person  i6o 

Under  their  blessed  wings ! 

King.  Now,  by  thy  looks 

I  guess  thy  messs^e.     Is  the  queen  delivered  ? 
Say,  ay ;  and  of  a  boy. 

Old  L,  Ay,  ay,  my  liege ; 

And  of  a  lovely  boy :  the  God  of  heaven 
Both  now  and  ever  bless  her  1  'tis  a  girl. 
Promises  boys  hereafter.     Sir,  your  queen 
Desires  your  visitation,  and  to  be 
Acquainted  with  this  stranger :  'tis  as  like  you 
As  cherry  is  to  cherry. 

King,  Lovell ! 

Lov.  Sir? 

Kif^,  C^ve   her  an   hundred   marks.     I'll   to 
the  queen.  \Eocit  170 

Old  Z.  An  hundred  marks !     By  this  Ught,  I  'II 
ha'  more. 
An  ordinary  groom  is  for  such  pa3rment 
I  will  have  more,  or  scold  it  out  of  him. 
Said  I  for  this,  the  girl  was  Uke  to  him  ? 
I  will  have  more,  or  else  unsay 't ;  and  now, 
While  it  is  hot,  I  '11  put  it  to  the  issue. 

\Exeunt, 


Scene  II.     Before  the  council-chamber, 
PursuivaniSy  Fages^  etc.  attending. 

Enter  Cranmer,  Archbishop  of  Canterbury. 

Cran,  I  hope  I  am  not  too  late;  and  yet  the 
gentleman 
That  was  sent  to  me  from  the  council  pray'd  me 
167.  and  to  bCt  i.e.  and  you  to  be.       .  Sc.  2.  By  Fletcher  (Sp.)- 
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8c.  II        King  Henry  the  Eighth 

To   make  great   haste.     All    fast?   what    means 

this?     Ho! 
Who  waits  there  ?    Sure,  you  know  me  ? 

Enter  Keeper. 
Keep.  Yes,  my  lord ; 

But  yet  I  cannot  help  you. 
Cran.  Why? 

Enter  Doctor  Butts. 
Keep.    Your    grace    must    wait    till    you     be 

caird  for. 
Cran.  So. 

Butts.  [Aside"]  This  is  a  piece  of  malice.     I 
am  glad 
I  came  this  way  so  happily :  the  king 
Shall  understand  it  presently.  [Exit. 

Cran.  [Aside]  Tis  Butts,  xo 

The  king's  physician :  as  he  pass'd  along, 
How  earnestly  he  cast  his  eyes  upon  me  ! 
Pray  heaven,  he  sound  not  my  disgrace!     For 

certain. 
This  is  of  purpose  laid  by  some  that  hate  me — 
God  turn   their  hearts!     I   never   sought    their 

malice — 
To  quench  mine  honour:  they  would  shame  to 

make  me 
Wait  else  at  door,  a  fellow-counsellor, 
'Mong  boys,  grooms,  and  lackeys.  But  their  pleasures 
Must  be  fulfiird,  and  I  attend  with  patience. 

En^  the  King  and  Butts  -at  a  window  above. 

Butts.  I  '11  show  your  grace  the  strangest  sight — 
King.  What's  that,  Butts?  ao 

Butts.  I  think  your  highness  saw  this  many  a  day. 

13.  sound,  proclaim.  The  metre  suggests  a  scornful 

18.  *M<mg  hoys,  grooms,  etc.      emphasis  on  'grooms^'     L. 

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King  Henry  the  Eighth       actv 

King.  Body  o'  me,  where  is  it  ? 

Butts,  There,  my  lord : 

The  high  promotion  of  his  grace  of  Canterbury ; 
Who  holds  his  state  at  door,  'mongst  pursuivants, 
Pages,  and  footboys. 

King,  Ha !  'tis  he,  indeed : 

Is  this  the  honour  they  do  one  another  ? 
Tis   well   there's   one   above  *em    yet.     I    had 

thought 
They  had  parted  so  much  honesty  among  'em, 
At  least,  good  manners,  as  not  thus  to  suffer 
A  man  of  his  place,  and  so  near  our  favour,  30 

To  dance  attendance  on  their  lordships'  pleasures. 
And  at  the  door  too,  like  a  post  with  packets. 
By  holy  Mary,  Butts,  there 's  knavery : 
Let  'em  alone,  and  draw  the  curtain  close : 
We  shall  hear  more  anon.  \Eoceunt, 


Scene  III.     The  Council-Chamber, 

Enter  Lord  Chancellor  ;  places  himself  at  the 
upper  end  of  the  table  on  the  left  hand ;  a 
seat  being  left  void  above  him^  as  for  Canter- 
bury's seat,  Duke  of  Suffolk,  Duke  of 
Norfolk,  Surrey,  Lord  Chamberlain, 
Gardiner,  seat  themselves  in  order  on  each  side, 
Cromwell  at  lower  end^  as  secretary.  Keeper 
at  the  door, 

Chan,  Speak  to  the  business,  master  secretary : 

Sc.  S'  By  Fletcher  (Sp.).  and    placed   under    the    Stotc 

In    Ff    no    change    of   scene  [throne].       Enter,  etc'      This 

is    indicated,   but   the    present  naive  procedure  of  course  indi- 

stage  direction  is  preceded  by  cates  that  the  audience  were  to 

the   words  :    '  A  council  table  suppose  the  scene  changed  to  the 

brought  in  with  chairs  and  stools  inside  of  the  cooncil-cfaamber. 
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8c.  Ill       King  Henry  the  Eighth 

Why  are  we  met  in  council  ? 

Crom.  Please  your  honours, 

The  chief  cause  concerns  his  grace  of  Canterbury. 

Gar,  Has  he  had  knowledge  of  it  ? 

Crom.  Yes. 

Nor,  Who  waits  there  ? 

Keep,     Without,  my  noble  lords? 

Gar,  Yes. 

Keep.  My  lord  archbishop ; 

And  has  done  half  an  hour,  to  know  your  pleasures. 

Chan.  Let  him  come  in. 

Keep.  Your  grace  may  enter  now. 

\Cranmer  enters  and  approaches 
the  council-table, 

Chan.  My  good  lord  archbishop,  I  'm  very  sorry 
To  sit  here  at  this  present,  and  behold 
That  chair  stand  empty :  but  we  all  are  men,  xo 

In  our  own  natures  frail,  and  capable 
Of  our  flesh ;    few  are   angels :    out   of  which 

frailty 
And  want  of  wisdom,  you,  that  best  should  teach  us, 
Have  misdemean'd  yourself,  and  not  a  Httle, 
Toward  the  king  first,  then  his  laws,  in  filling 
The  whole  realm,    by   your  teaching  and  your 

chaplains. 
For  so  we  are  inform'd,  with  new  opinions. 
Divers  and  dangerous ;  which  are  heresies. 
And,  not  reformed,  may  prove  pernicious. 

Gar.  Which  reformation  must  be  sudden  too,      ao 
My  noble  lords ;  for  those  that  tame  wild  horses 
Face  'em  not  in  their  hands  to  make  'em  gentle, 
But  stop  their  mouths  with  stubborn  bits,  and 
spur  *em, 

II.  cafahU  of  our  fleshy  fUsiXj  22.  Pace  in  their  hands, 
succumbing  to  our  human  teach  their  paces  by  merely 
failings.  leading  with  a  bridle. 

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King  Henry  the  Eighth       actv 

Till  they  obey  the  manage.     If  we  suffer, 

Out  of  our  easiness  and  childish  pity 

To  one  man's  honour,  this  contagious  sickness, 

Farewell  all  physic :  and  what  follows  then  ? 

Commotions,  uproars,  with  a  general  taint 

Of  the  whole  state :  as,  of  late  days,  our  neighbours, 

The  upper  Germany,  can  dearly  witness,  30 

Yet  freshly  pitied  in  our  memories. 

Cran.  My    good    lords,    hitherto,    in  all    the 
progress 
Both  of  my  life  and  office,  I  have  laboured, 
And  with  no  little  study,  that  my  teaching 
And  the  strong  course  of  my  authority 
Might  go  one  way,  and  safely ;  and  the  end 
Was  ever,  to  do  well :  nor  is  there  living, 
I  speak  it  with  a  single  heart,  my  lords, 
A  man  that  more  detests,  more  stirs  against. 
Both  in  his  private  conscience  and  his  place,  40 

Defacers  of  a  public  peace,  than  I  do. 
Pray  heaven,  the  king  may  never  find  a  heart 
With  less  allegiance  in  it !     Men  that  make 
Envy  and  crooked  malice  nourishment 
Dare  bite  the  best.     I  do  beseech  your  lordships. 
That,  in  this  case  of  justice,  my  accusers, 
Be  what  they  will,  may  stand  forth  face  to  face, 
And  freely  urge  against  me. 

Suf.  Nay,  my  lord. 

That  cannot  be  :  you  are  a  counsellor. 
And,  by  that  virtue,  no  man  dare  accuse  you.  s© 

Gar,  My  lord,  .because  we  have   business  of 
more  moment, 
We  will  be  short  with  you.     Tis  his  highness' 
pleasure, 

34.  manage,  control  (regularly     allusion  to  the  peasant  revolt  led 
used  of  horsemanship).  by  Thomas  MUnzer  in  Thiiiingen 

30.   The  upper  Germany;  an     and  Saxony  in  1525. 

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8c.  Ill       King  Henry  the  Eighth 

And  our  consent,  for  better  trial  of  you, 
From  hence  you  be  committed  to  the  Tower; 
Where,  being  but  a  private  man  again, 
You  shall  know  many  dare  accuse  you  boldly, 
More  than,  I  fear,  you  are  provided  for. 

Cran,  Ah,  my  good   Lord   of  Winchester,    I 
thank  you ; 
You  are  always  my  good  friend ;  if  your  will  pass, 
I  shall  both  find  your  lordship  judge  and  juror,        60 
You  are  so  merciful :  I  see  your  end ; 
Tis  my  undoing :  love  and  meekness,  lord, 
Become  a  churchman  better  than  ambition : 
Win  straying  souls  with  modesty  again. 
Cast  none  away.     That  I  shall  clear  myself, 
Lay  all  the  weight  ye  can  upon  my  patience, 
I  make  as  little  doubt,  as  you  do  conscience 
In  doing  daily  wrongs.     I  could  say  more. 
But  reverence  to  your  calling  makes  me  modest. 

Gar,  My  lord,  my  lord,  you  are  a  sectary,  70 

That 's  the  plain  truth :  your  painted  gloss  discovers. 
To  men  that  understand  you,  words  and  weakness. 

Crom.  My  Lord  of  Winchester,  you  are  a  little, 
By  your  good  favour,  too  sharp ;  men  so  noble, 
However  faulty,  yet  should  find  respect 
For  what  they  have  been :  'tis  a  cruelty 
To  load  a  falling  man. 

Gar.  Good  master  secretary, 

I  cry  your  honour  mercy  \  you  may,  worst 
Of  all  this  table,  say  so. 

Crom,  Why,  my  lord  ? 

Gar.  Do  not  I  know  you  for  a  &vourer  80 

Of  this  new  sect  ?  ye  are  not  sound. 

Crom.  Not  sound  ? 

Gar.  Not  sound,  I  say. 

Crom.  Would  you  were  half  so  honest ! 

59.  fass^  prevail.  69.  modesty  self-restrained. 

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King  Henry  the  Eighth       actv 

Men's  prayers  then  would  seek  you,  not  their  fears. 

Gar,  I  shall  remember  this  bold  language. 

Crom.  Do. 

Remember  your  bold  life  too. 

Chan,  This  is  too  much ; 

Forbear,  for  shame,  my  lords. 

Gar,  I  have  done. 

Crotn,  And  I. 

Chan.  Then  thus  for  you,  my  lord:  it  stands 
agreed, 
I  take  it,  by  all  voices,  that  forthwith 
You  be  conveyed  to  the  Tower  a  prisoner ; 
There  to  remain  till  the  king's  further  pleasure         90 
Be  known  unto  us :  are  you  all  agreed,  lords  ? 

AU.  We  are. 

Cran,  Is  there  no  other  way  of  mercy, 

But  I  must  needs  to  the  Tower,  my  lords? 

Gar,  What  other 

Would  you  expect  ?  you  are  strangely  troublesome. 
Let  some  o'  the  guard  be  ready  there. 

Enter  Guard. 

Cran,  For  me  ? 

Must  I  go  like  a  traitor  thither? 

Gar,  Receive  him, 

And  see  him  safe  i'  the  Tower. 

Cran,  Stay,  good  my  lords, 

I  have  a  little  yet  to  say.     Look  ^ere,  my  lords ; 
By  virtue  of  that  ring,  I  take  my  cause 
Out  of  the  gripes  of  cruel  men,  and  give  it  100 

To  a  most  noble  judge,  the  king  my  master. 

Cham,  This  is  the  king's  ring. 

Sur,  *Tis  no  counterfeit. 

Suf,    'Tis  the  right  ring,  by  heaven:    I   told 
ye  all, 
When  we  first  put  this  dangerous  stone  a-rolling, 
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8c.  Ill       King  Henry  the  Eighth 

'Twould  fall  upon  ourselves. 

Nor.  Do  you  think,  my  lords, 

The  king  will  suffer  but  the  little  finger 
Of  this  man  to  be  vex*d  ? 

Chan,  'Tis  now  too  certain  : 

How  much  more  is  his  life  in  value  with  him  ? 
Would  I  were  fairly  out  on 't ! 

Crom.  My  mind  gave  me, 

In  seeking  tales  and  informations  no 

Against  this  man,  whose  honesty  the  devil 
And  his  disciples  only  envy  at, 
Ye  blew  the  fire  that  bums  ye :  now  have  at  ye ! 

Enter  King,  frowning  on  them  ;  takes  his  seat. 

Gar,  Dread  sovereign,  how  much  are  we  bound 
to  heaven 
In  daily  thanks,  that  gave  us  such  a  prince ; 
Not  only  good  and  wise,  but  most  religious  : 
One  that,  in  all  obedience,  makes  the  church 
The  chief  aim  of  his  honour ;  and,  to  strengthen 
That  holy  duty,  out  of  dear  respect. 
His  royal  self  in  judgement  comes  to  hear  xao 

The  cause  betwixt  her  and  this  great  offender. 
King,    You  were  ever  good  at   sudden  com- 
mendations, 
Bishop  of  Winchester.     But  know,  I  come  not 
To  hear  such  flattery  now,  and  in  my  presence ; 
They  are  too  thin  and  bare  to  hide  offences. 
To  me  you  cannot  reach,  you  play  the  spaniel. 
And  think  with  wagging  of  your  tongue  to  win  me ; 
But,  whatsoe'er  thou  takest  me  for,  I  'm  sure 
Thou  hast  a  cruel  nature  and  a  bloody. 

Z09.  gave  me,  suggested  the  125.     They,   Le.    the  *oom- 

sospicion,  misgave  me.  mendations.' 

119.    dear  respect,  profound  125.  3ar«?/ Ff' base. 'emended 

regard.  by  Malone. 

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King  Henry  the  Eighth       actv 

[To  Cranmfr]  Good  man,  sit  down.     Now  let  me 

see  the  proudest  130 

He,  that  dares  most,  but  wag  his  finger  at  thee : 
By  all  that 's  holy,  he  had  better  starve 
Than  but  once  think  this  place  becomes  thee  not. 

Sur.  May  it  please  your  grace, — 

King,  No,  sir,  it  does  not  please  me. 

I  had  thought  I  had  had  men  of  some  under- 
standing 
And  wisdom  of  my  council ;  but  I  find  none. 
Was  it  discretion,  lords,  to  let  this  man. 
This  good  man, — few  of  you  deserve  that  title, — 
This  honest  man,  wait  like  a  lousy  footboy 
At  chamber-door  ?  and  one  as  great  as  you  are  ?     140 
Why,  what  a  shame  was  this !    Did  my  commission 
Bid  ye  so  far  forget  yourselves  ?     I  gave  ye 
Power  as  he  was  a  coimsellor  to  try  him. 
Not  as  a  groom :  there  *s  some  of  ye,  I  see. 
More  out  of  malice  than  integrity. 
Would  try  him  to  the  utmost,  had  ye  mean ; 
Which  ye  shall  never  have  while  I  live. 

Chan.  Thus  £ar. 

My  most  dread  sovereign,  may  it  like  your  grace 
To  let  my  tongue  excuse  all.     What  was  purposed 
Concerning  his  imprisonment,  was  rather,  150 

If  there  be  faith  in  men,  meant  for  his  trial. 
And  fair  purgation  to  the  world,  than  malice, 
I  'm  sure,  in  me. 

JCing,  Well,  well,  my  lords,  respect  him ; 
Take  him,  and  use  him  well,  he 's  worthy  of  it 
I  will  say  thus  much  for  him,  if  a  prince 
May  be  beholding  to  a  subject,  I 
Am,  for  his  love  and  service,  so  to  him. 
Make  me  no  more  ado,  but  all  embrace  him : 
Be  friends,  for  shame,  my  lords!     My  Lord  of 
Canterbury,  i6p 

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sc.  Ill       King  Henry  the  Eighth 

I  have  a  suit  which  you  must  not  deny  me ; 
That  is,  a  feir  young  maid  that  yet  wants  baptism, 
You  must  be  godfather,  and  answer  for  her. 

Cran,    The  greatest  monarch  now  alive  may 
glory 
In  such  an  honour :  how  may  I  deserve  it, 
That  am  a  poor  and  humble  subject  to  you  ? 

King,  Come,  come,  my  lord,  you 'Id  spare 
your  spoons:  you  shall  have  two  noble  partners 
with  you ;  the  old  Duchess  of  Norfolk,  and  Lady 
Marquess  Dorset :  will  these  please  you  ?  17© 

Once  more,  my  Lord  of  Winchester,  I  charge  you, 
Embrace  and  love  this  man. 

Gar.  With  a  true  heart 

And  brother-love  I  do  it. 

Cran.  And  let  heaven 

Witness,  how  dear  I  hold  this  confirmation. 

King,  Good  man,  those  joyful  tears  show  thy 
true  heart : 
The  common  voice,  I  see,  is  verified 
Of  thee,  which  says  thus,  *  Do  my  Lord  of  Can- 

terbury 
A  shrewd  turn,  and  he  is  your  friend  for  ever.* 
Come,  lords,  we  trifle  time  away ;  I  long 
To  have  this  young  one  made  a  Christian.  180 

As  I  have  made  ye  one,  lords,  one  remain ; 
So  I  grow  stronger,  you  more  honour  gain. 

[Exeunt, 

167.  spare  your  spoons;  i.e.  They  were  commonly  gilt,  with 
the  •  'postle  spoons '  presented  figures  and  emblems  of  the 
by    the   sponsors   at   baptism,      apostles  carved  on  the  handles. 


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King  Henry  the  Eighth       act  v 


Scene  IV.     The  palace  yard. 

Noise  and  tumult  within.     Enter  Porter  and 
his  Man. 

Port.  You  'U  leave  your  noise  anon,  ye  rascals : 
do  you  take  the  court  for  Paris-garden  ?  ye  rude 
slaves,  leave  your  gaping. 

[  Within\  Good  master  porter,  I  belong  to  the 
larder. 

Port.  Belong  to  the  gallows,  and  be  hanged, 
ye  rogue  !  is  this  a  place  to  roar  in  ?  Fetch  me  a 
dozen  crab|-tree  staves,  and  strong  ones:  these 
are  but  switches  to  'em.  I  '11  scratch  your  heads : 
you  must  be  seeing  christenings  ?  do  you  look  for  lo 
ale  and  cakes  here,  you  rude  rascals  ? 

Man,  Pray,  sir,  be  patient :  'tis  as  much  im- 
possible— 
Unless  we  sweep  'em  from  the  door  with  cannons — 
To  scatter  'em,  as  'tis  to  make  'em  sleep 
On  May-day  morning ;  which  will  never  be : 
We  may  as  well  push  against  Powle's,  as  stir  'em. 

Port,  How  got  they  in,  and  be  hang'd  ? 

Man,  Alas,  I  know  not ;  how  gets  the  tide  in  ? 
As  much  as  one  sound  cudgel  of  four  foot — 
You  see  the  poor  remainder — could  distribute,         ao 
I  made  no  spare,  sir. 

Port,  You  did  nothing,  sir. 

Sc,  4.  By  Fletcher  (Sp.).  '  Parish  Garden.' 

2.    Paris-garden,  a  well-  3.  gaping,  bawling, 

known    popular   resort  on   the  15.    On  May-day  morning, 

Bankside,    proverbial     for     its  when  it  was  the  universal  custom 

disorders.     Its  associations  live  to  rise  betimes  '  and  walk  into 

in  the  modem   'bear-garden.'  the  sweet  meadows  and  green 

Ff  have  (perhaps,  with  intention)  woods '  (Stowe). 

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9c.  IV       King  Henry  the  Eighth 

Man,    I   am   not   Samson,  nor  Sir  Guy,  nor 
Colbrand, 
To  mow  'em  down  before  me :  but  if  I  spared  any 
That  had  a  head  to  hit,  either  young  or  old. 
He  or  she,  cuckold  or  cuckold-maker. 
Let  me  ne'er  hope  to  see  a  chine  again ; 
And  that  I  would  not  for  a  cow,  God  save  her ! 

[Within]  Do  you  hear,  master  porter? 

J^ort.  I  shall  be  with  you  presently,  good  master 
puppy.     Keep  the  door  close,  sirrah.  30 

Man,  What  would  you  have  me  do  ? 

J^i0rt.  What  should  you  do,  but  knock  'em 
down  by  the  dozens?  Is  this  Moorfields  to 
muster  in  ?  or  have  we  some  strange  Indian  with 
the  great  tool  come  to  court,  the  women  so  be- 
siege us  ?  Bless  me,  what  a  fry  of  fornication  is 
at  door !  On  my  Christian  conscience,  this  one 
christening  will  beget  a  thousand;  here  will  be 
father,  godfather,  and  all  together. 

Man.  The  spoons  will  be  the  bigger,  sir.  40 
There  is  a  fellow  somewhat  near  the  door,  he 
should  be  a  brazier  by  his  face,  for,  o'  my  con- 
science, twenty  of  the  dog-days  now  reign  in's 
nose ;  all  that  stand  about  him  are  under  the  line, 
they  need  no  other  penance:  that  fire-drake  did 
I  hit  three  times  on  the  head,  and  three  times 

22.  Sir  Guy,  nor  Colbrand ;  ^.  some  strange  Indian.  Five 

Guy  of  Warwick's  principal  feat  American     Indians     came     to 

was  the  overthrow  of  the  Danish  London  in   161 1.      Nearly  at 

giant  Colbrand  in  single  combat,  the  same  time  Shakespeare,  in 

27.    /  would  not  for  a  cow.  The  Tempest,  ii.  2.,  speaks  of  the 

God   save   her !    a    proverbial  popular  curiosity  excited  even 

formula  of  rustic  asseveration,  by 'a  dead  Indian.' 

current  (in  several  versions)  in  42.  braitier    (with     a     play 

Sooth  anid  South- West  England,  upon  the  two  senses). 

33.  J/«»7fe/rflr/ the  open  fields  44.  the  line,  the  equator. 

north  of   the  city,   where  the  ^t^. fire-drake,  'fiery dragon'; 

trainbands  mustered  for  drilL  commonly  a  term  for  a  meteor. 

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King  Hcniy  the  Eighth       act^ 

was  his  nose  discfaaiged  against  me;  he  stands 
there,  like  a  mortar-piece,  to  Uow  us.  There 
was  a  haberda^er's  wife  of  small  wit  near  him, 
that  railed  upon  me  till  her  pinked  porringer  fell  off  so 
her  head,  for  kindling  sodi  a  combustion  in  the 
state.  I  missed  the  meteor  once,  and  hit  diat 
woman;  who  cried  out  'Clubs!'  when  I  might 
see  from  far  some  forty  trundieoners  draw  to  her 
succour,  which  were  the  hope  o'  the  Strand, 
where  she  was  quartered.  They  fell  on ;  I  made 
good  my  place :  at  length  they  came  to  the  broom- 
staff  to  me ;  I  defied  'em  still :  when  suddenly  a. 
file  of  boys  behind  'em,  loose  shot,  delivered  such 
a  shower  of  pebbles,  that  I  was  fain  to  draw  mine  60 
honour  in,  and  let  'em  win  the  work:  the  devil 
was  amongst  'em,  I  think,  surely. 

Port.  These  are  the  youths  that  thunder  at  a 
playhouse,  and  fight  for  bitten  apples;  that  no 
audience,  but  the  tribulation  of  Tower-hill,  or  the 
limbs  of  Limehouse,  their  dear  brothers,  are  able 
to  endure.     I  have  some  of  'em  in  Limbo  Patrum, 

48.  blow  us,  blow  us  up.  been  explained.     Johnson  and 

49.  a  haberdasher's  wife  of  Steevens  thought  of  Puritan  as- 
small  wit ;  probably  with  a  play  semblies,  where  the  latter  '  could 
on  the  phrase  'haberdasher  of  easily  conceive  that  the  tur- 
small  wit,'  i.e.  dealer  in  trifling  bulence  of  the  most  clamorous 
jests.  theatre  had  been  exceeded  by  .  . 

50.  pinked  porringer,  her  cap  bellowings  against  surplices  and 
(or,  according  to  Fairholt,  the  farthingales.'  But  the  context 
fashionable  Milan,  bonnet),  rather  suggests  a  cant  term  for 
shaped  as  if  'moulded  on  a  some  local  pest  akin  to  the 
porringer,'  and  pierced  with  ruffianly  '  limbs  of  Limehouse,' 
holes  for  fastening  on  ornaments,  who  frequented  low  entertain- 

53.  '  Clubs  / '  the  usual  cry  jnents  in  those  neighbourhoods, 
for  summoning  persons  to  part         67.     in   Limbo    Patrum,  in 

the  combatants  in  a  street  affray,  prison.     The  '  Limbus  Patrum ' 

59.  /oar^j^,  irregular  marl^-  in  scholastic  theology  was  the 

men.  region  bordering  on  hell  occu- 

65.  the  tribulation  of  Tower-  pied  by  the  Hebrew  patriarchs. 

killt  etc*     The  allusion  has  not  Cf.  Dante,  Inf  iv.  45. 

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8c.  TV       King  Henry  the  Eighth 

and  there  they  are  like  to  dance  these  three  days ; 
besides  the  running  banquet  of  two  beadles  that 
is  to  come.  70 

Enter  Lord  Chamberlain. 

Cham.  Mercy  o'  me,  what  a  multitude  are  here! 
They  grow  still  too;  from  all  parts  they  are  coming, 
As  if  we  kept  a  fair  here !      Where  are   these 

porters, 
These  lazy  knaves?     Ye  have  made  a  fine  hand, 

fellows : 
There 's  a  trim  rabble  let  in :  are  all  these 
Your  faithful  friends  o'  the  suburbs?     We  shall 

have 
Great  store  of  room,  no  doubt,  left  for  the  ladies. 
When  they  pass  back  from  the  christening. 

Fort.  An 't  please  your  honour. 

We  are  but  men ;  and  what  so  many  may  do, 
Not  being  torn  a-pieces,  we  have  done :  80 

An  army  cannot  rule  *em. 

Cham,  As  I  live, 

If  the  king  blame  me  for  %  1 11  lay  ye  all 
By  the  heels,  and  suddenly ;  and  on  your  heads 
Glap  round  fines  for  neglect :  ye  are  lazy  knaves ; 
And  here  ye  lie  baiting  of  bombards,  when 
Ye  should  do  service.     Hark!  the  trumpets  sound; 
They  're  come  already  from  the  christening : 

69.     running    banquet;   cf.  The  meaning  of  'bait'  is  not 

i.  4.   12  ;  here,  of  a  whipping,  altogether  certain.     The  phrase 

probably  as  a  ' dessert'  to  crown  suggests  that  it  is  transitive  verb 

the  feast  of  durance  in  limbo.  equivalent  to  •  set  abroach' ;  but 

74.  made  a  fine  hand,  played  this  sense  of  'bait,'  though  a 

a  pretty  game.  very    natural    one,    cannot    be 

82.  lay  by  the  heels,  put  in  the  pax^leled.      It  is  safer  then  to 

stocks.  £all  back  on  the  common  sense, 

85.     baiting    of    bombards,  'feeding,   'drinking.'    [Perhaps 

drinking  deep.    Bombards  were  '  crowding  round  for  drinks,  like 

long  leather  vessels  of  liquor,  dogs  about  a  bear. '     L.  ] 
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King  Henry  the  Eighth       act  v 

Go,  break  among  the  press,  and  find  a  way  out 

To  let  the  troop  pass  ^siirly ;  or  1 11  find 

A  Marshalsea  shall  hold  ye  play  these  two  months.  90 

Port  Make  way  there  for  the  princess. 

Man.  You  great  fellow, 

Stand  close  up,  or  1 11  make  your  head  ache. 

Port,  You  i'  the  camlet,  get  up  o'  the  rail ; 
I  '11  peck  you  o'er  the  pales  else.  \Exeunt, 


Scene  V.     The  palace. 

Enter  trumpets^  soundings  then  two  Aldermen, 
Lord  Mayor,  Garter,  Cranmer,  Duke  of 
Norfolk  with  his  marshaPs  staff,  Duke  of 
Suffolk,  two  Noblemen  bearing  great  stand- 
ing-bowls for  the  christening-gifts;  then  four 
Noblemen  bearing  a  canopy,  under  which  the 
Duchess  of  Norfolk,  godmother,  bearing 
the  child  richly  habited  in  a  mantle,  etc,, 
train  borne  by  a  Lady;  then  follows  the 
Marchioness  Dorset,  the  other  godmother, 
and  Ladies,  The  troop  pass  once  about  the 
stage,  and  Garter  speaks, 

Gart,  Heaven,  from  thy  endless  goodness, 
send  prosperous  life,  long,  and  ever  happy,  to 
the  high  and  mighty  princess  of  England, 
Elizabeth ! 

Flourish,     Enter  King  and  Guard, 

Crom,    \Kneeling\    And   to   your   royal  grace, 
and  the  good  queen, 

90.  Marshalsea,  the  prison  in         94.  peck,  pitch. 
Southwark.  Sc,  s-   By  Fletcher  (Sp.). 

93.    camlet,  a  light  woollen  Standing'biwls,\3oyi\ssap^antd 

stuff  on  feet. 

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sc.  V        King  Henry  the  Eighth 

My  noble  partners,  and  myself,  thus  pray : 
All  comfort,  joy,  in  this  most  gracious  lady. 
Heaven  ever  laid  up  to  make  parents  happy, 
May  hourly  fall  upon  ye ! 

JSfig.  Thank  you,  good  lord  archbishop : 

What  is  her  name  ? 

Cran.  Elizabeth. 

JCing.  Stand  up,  lord,     zo 

[27ie  Xing  kisses  the  child. 
With  this  kiss  take  my  blessing:  God  protect  thee! 
Into  whose  hand  I  give  thy  life. 

Cran.  Amen. 

King.    My  noble  gossips,  ye   have  been  too 
prodigal : 
I  thank  ye  heartily ;  so  shall  this  lady. 
When  she  has  so  much  English. 

Cran.  Let  me  speak,  sir, 

For  heaven  now  bids  me ;  and  the  words  I  utter 
Let  none  think  flattery,  for  they  'U  find  'em  truth. 
This  royal  infant — heaven  still  move  about  her  !— 
Though  in  her  cradle,  yet  now  promises 
Upon  this  land  a  thousand  thousand  blessings,         m 
Wbich  time  shall  bring  to  ripeness :  she  shall  be 
But  few  now  living  can  behold  that  goodness — 
A  pattern  to  all  princes  living  with  her. 
And  all  that  shall  succeed :  Saba  was  never 
More  covetous  of  wisdom  and  fair  virtue 
Than  this  pure  soul  shall  be  :  all  princely  graces, 
That  mould  up  such  a  mighty  piece  as  this  is. 
With  all  the  virtues  that  attend  the  good. 
Shall  still  be  doubled  on  her :  truth  shall  nurse  her. 
Holy  and  heavenly  thoughts  still  counsel  her  :  30 

13.    gossips,  sponsors.  served    in    the    older    Elnglish 

translations. 
24.  Saba,  the  queen  of  Sheba.  27.  piece,  creation. — '  mighty ' 

Saba  is  the  Vulgate  form  pre-     in  virtue  of  her  destiny. 
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King  Henry  the  Eighth       actv 

She  shall  be  loved  and  fear'd :    her  own  shall 

bless  her ; 
Her  foes  shake  like  a  field  of  beaten  com, 
And  hang  their  heads  with  sorrow :  good  grows 

with  her : 
In  her  days  every  man  shall  eat  in  safety, 
Under  his  own  vine,  what  he  plants ;  and  sing 
The  merry  songs  of  peace  to  all  his  neighbours  : 
God  shall  be  truly  known ;  and  those  about  her 
From  her  shall  read  the  perfect  ways  of  honour, 
And  by  those  claim  their  greatness,  not  by  blood. 
Nor  shall  this  peace  sleep  with  her :  but  as  when     40 
The  bird  of  wonder  dies,  the  maiden  phoenix, 
Her  ashes  new  create  another  heir. 
As  great  in  admiration  as  herself; 
So  shall  she  leave  her  blessedness  to  one, 
When  heaven  shall  call  her  from  this  cloud  of 

darkness. 
Who  from  the  sacred  ashes  of  her  honour 
Shall  star-like  rise,  as  great  in  fame  as  she  was. 
And  so  stand  fix'd:    peace,  plenty,  love,  truth, 

terror. 
That  were  the  servants  to  this  chosen  infant, 
Shall  then  be  his,  and  like  a  vine  grow  to  him  :        50 
Wherever  the  bright  sun  of  heaven  shall  shine, 
His  honour  and  the  greatness  of  his  name 
Shall  be,  and  make  new  nations :  he  shall  flourish. 
And,  like  a  mountain  cedar,  reach  his  branches 
To  all  the  plains  about  him  :  our  children's  children 
Shall  see  this,  and  bless  heaven. 

King.  Thou  speakest  wonders. 

Cran,  She  shall  be,  to  the  happiness  kA  England, 

41.  maiden,  i.e.  raateless.  colony  had  received  a  constitn- 

53.  make  new  nations;    an      tion  in  1612,  but  the  allusion 

allusion  probably  to  the  settle-     cannot  be  definitely  referred  to 

ment  of  Virginia  in  1607.     The     this. 
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J 


EFiL.        King  Henry  the  Eighth 

An  aged  princess ;  many  days  shall  see  her, 

And  yet  no  day  without  a  deed  to  crown  it 

Would  I  had  known  no  more !  but  she  must  die,     60 

She  must,  the  saints  must  have  her ;  yet  a  virgin, 

A  most  unspotted  lily  shall  she  pass 

To  the  ground,  and  all  the  world  shall  mourn  her. 

King.  O  lord  archbishop. 
Thou  hast  made  me  now  a  man  !  never,  before 
This  happy  child,  did  I  get  any  thing : 
This  oracle  of  comfort  has  so  pleased  me, 
That  when  I  am  in  heaven  I  shall  desire 
To  see  what  this  child  does,  and  praise  my  Maker. 
I  thank  ye  alL     To  you,  my  good  lord  mayor,  70 

And  your  good  brethren,  I  am  much  beholding ; 
I  have  received  much  honour  by  your  presence. 
And  ye  shall  find  me  thankful.     Lead  the  way, 

lords : 
Ye  must  all  see  the  queen,  and  she  must  thank  ye, 
She  will  be  sick  else.     This  day,  no  man  think 
'Has  business  at  his  house ;  for  all  shall  stay : 
This  little  one  shall  make  it  hoHday.  Exeunt, 


EPILOGUE. 

Tis  ten  to  one  this  play  can  never  please 
All  that  are  here  :  some  come  to  take  their  ease. 
And  sleep  an  act  or  two ;  but  those,  we  fear. 
We  have  frighted  with  our  trumpets ;  so,  'tis  clear, 
They  11  say  'tis  naught :  others,  to  hear  the  city 
Abused  extremely,  and  to  cry  *  That 's  witty ! ' 
Which  we  have  not  done  neither :  that,  I  fear, 
All  the  expected  good  we  're  like  to  hear 

71.  brethren,  i.e.  the  aldermen.  76.  'Has,  he  has.    So  Ff. 

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King  Henry  the  Eighth        epil. 

For  this  play  at  this  time,  is  only  in 

The  merdful  construction  of  good  women ;  lo 

For  such  a  one  we  show'd  'em :  if  they  smile, 

And  say  'twill  do,  I  know,  within  a  while 

All  the  best  men  are  ours ;  for  tis  ill  hap, 

If  they  hold  when  their  ladies  Ud  'em  clap. 


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TITUS  ANDRONICUS 


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DRAMATIS  PERSONiE 

Saturninus,  son  to  the  late  Emperor  of  Rome,  and  after 

wards  declared  Emperor. 
Bassianus,  brother  to  Satnmihus  ;  in  love  with  Lavinia. 
Titus  Andronicus,  a  noble  Roman,  general  against  the 

Goths. 
Marcus  Andronicus,  tribune  of  the  people,  and  brother 

to  Titus. 
Lucius,    ^ 

U^Zl  \  »"^  *°  Titus  Andronicus. 

MUTIUS,     J 

Young  Lucius,  a  boy,  son  to  Lucius. 

PuBLius,  son  to  Marcus  the  Tribune. 

Sbmpronius,  ^ 

Caius,  Y  kinsmen  to  Titus. 

Valentine,  j 

i^MiLius,  a  noble  Roman. 

Alarbus,      1 

Demetrius,  V  sons  to  Tamora. 

Chiron,       j 

Aaron,  a  Moor,  beloved  by  Tamora. 

A  Captain.  Tribune,  Messenger,  and  Clown  ;  Romans. 

Goths  and  Romans. 

Tamora,  Queen  of  the  Goths. 
Lavinia,  daughter  to  Titus  Andronicus. 
A  Nurse. 

Senators,  Tribunes,  Officers,  Soldiers,  and  Attendants. 

Scene  :  Rome,  and  the  country  near  it 

Duration  op  Time 

Four  days  represented  on  the  stage,  with,  possibly,  two  intervals. 

Day  1.  I.,  n.  I. 
„     2.    IL  2.-4..  III.    1. 
Interval. 

..  3-  ni.  2. 

Interval. 
,.    4.  IV.,  V. 

Dramatis  Persona.  First  supplied,  imperfectly,  by  Rowe. 
The  Ff  mark  the  Acts  but  not  the  Scenes.  The  Qq  mark  neither 
Acts  nor  Scenes. 

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INTRODUCTION 


The  first  known  edition  of  Titus  Andrtmicus  appeared  Early 
in  1600,  with  the  following  title-page: —  hSS^^- 

*The  most  lamenta-|ble  Romaine  Tragedie  of^^tts. 
TUus  I  Andronicus,  \  As  it  hath  sundry  times  been 
playde  by  the  (  Right  Honourable  the  Earl  of  Pem- 
brooke,  the  |  Earl  of  Darbie,  the  Earle  of  Sussex, 
and  the  |  Lorde  Chamberlaine  theyr  Seruants.  (  At 
London,  |  Printed  by  I.  R.  for  Edward  White  |  and 
are  to  be  solde  at  his  shoppe,  at  the  little  |  North 
doore  of  Paules,  at  the  signe  of  |  the  Gun.     1600.  | 

Another  Quarto  (Qg),  printed  from  this,  appeared 
in  161 1. 

The  First  Folio  text  was  printed  from  a  copy  of 
the  Second  Quarto,  in  which  a  few  MS.  alterations  and 
additions  seem  to  have  been  made  for  stage  purposes. 
The  Folio  text  also  contains  a  whole  scene  (iii.  2.)  not 
found  in  the  Quartos,  and  probably,  since  it  does  not 
contribute  to  the  action,  omitted  in  performance. 

An  adaptation  of  the  play  by  Ravenscroft  was 
published  in  1687  under  the  title  Titus  Andronicus^ 
or  the  Rape  of  Lavinia,  \  r» 

Our  first  explicit  evidence  of  an  *  Andronicus '  play  Date  of   ^ 
belongs  to  the  year  1594.     On  January  23  Henslowe  uo2!^*°*^ 
recorded  the  performance  of  a  *  tittus  and  ondronicus  * 
as  a  *  new '  play.     In  February  a  play  Titus  Androni- 
cus was  entered  in  the  Stationers'  Register,  as  well 


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Titus  Andronicus 

as  a  ballad,  doubtless  occasioned  by  its  success,  '  A 
noble  Roman  historic  of  Titus  Andronicus.*  It  is 
very  probable  that  this  may  be  identified  with  the 
play  of  1600;  for  Langbaine^  records  an  edition 
of  this  printed  in  1594.  The  play  is  there  declared 
to  have  been  played  by  the  servants  of  the  Earls  of 
Derby,  Pembroke,  and  Essex.  Henslowe  has  how- 
ever certain  earlier  entries  which  possibly  relate  to  an 
'Andronicus'  play;  thus :  Tittusand  Vespacioy  1 1  April, 
1591-2,  and  repeatedly  afterwards  during  the  follow- 
ing May  and  June;  as  well  as  Titus  (titfus)  on 
January  6,  15,  29,  1592-3.  Little  reliance  can  be 
placed  on  these  entries ;  but  we  have  other  evidence 
that  towards  the  dose  of  the  eighties  the  story  of 
Titus  Andronicus  was  embodied  in  a  popular  play 
which  long  remained  a  landmark  in  the  annals  of 
the  stage.  *  He  that  will  swear  Ja'onimo  or  Androni- 
cus are  the  best  plays  yet,'  Jonson  could  write  in 
1 6 14,  '  shall  pass  unexcepted  at  here,  as  a  man  whose 
judgment  shows  it  is  constant,  and  hath  stood  still 
these  twenty-five  or  thirty  years.' ^  We  may  infer 
that,  in  16 14,  only  one  play  currently  known  as 
Andronicus  existed,  and  that  this  dated  from  1584-9. 
This  favours  the  view  that  there  never  had  sub- 
stantially been  more  than  one  play  on  the  story, 
whatever  slight  variations  in  detail  it  may  have  under- 
Gennan  gonc.  The  scrics  of  Audronicus  tragedies  in  German 
A^dSniras  ^^^  Dutch  indicate  no  variation  in  any  point  of  the 
plays.       ^plot.*    The  most  important  of  them  for  the  student 

^  Account  of  English   Dra-  dige  actiones  gefunden  ;  (a)  Jan 

matick  Poets t  1691,  p.  464.  Vos,  Aran  en  Titus,  of  wr oak  en 

'   Induction  to  Bartkohmew  u^^r-Toraoi  (' or  Vengeance  and 

Fair.  counter-vengeance ' )  (perfonned 

'  These  are:    (i)  Eine  sehr  1641) ;  (3)  German  versions  of 

kldgliche    Tragoedia    von    Tito  Vos.     One  of  these,  performed 

Andronico  und  der  hojfertigen  at  Linz  in  1699,  is  known  to  us 

Kaysertn^  darinnen   denckfmUr-  by  the  detailed  programme. 

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Introduction 

of  Shakespeare  is  the  German  comedy  played  about 
1600  by  the  English  actors  abroad  under  the  title: 
*  A  very  lamentable  tragedy  of  Titus  Andronicus  and 
the  haughty  empress.'  This  piece  abounds  in  super- 
ficial divergences  from  the  English  text  Most  of 
the  names  are  different  Lavinia  is  called  Andronica, 
Lucius  Vespasianus,  Marcus  Victoriates,  Aaron  Morian, 
Tamora's  sons  Helicates  and  S^honus,  and  Tamora 
herself  Aetiopissa ;  while  the  Goths  are  repkced  by 
Moors.  These  names  suggest  that  the  German  play 
was  derived  from  a  rival  version  of  the  story,  designed 
to  attract  the  public  by  a  specious  air  of  novelty, 
while  keeping  the  name  of  the  hero.^  Henslowe's 
entry  of  a  'tittus  and  Vespacia,'  mentioned  above, 
is  certainly  noticeable  in  connexion  with  the  *  Ves- 
pasianus,' who  in  the  German  play  replaces  Lucius ; 
but  the  structure  of  hypothesis  thus  erected  is  of 
perilous  frailty,  and  quite  incapable  of  supporting 
any  conclusion.  As  Creizenach  points  out,^  Hen- 
slowe's  play  may  quite  as  well  have  dealt  with  the 
two  emperors  so  named.  But  in  any  case  the 
German  version  contains  no  trace  of  organic  diverg- 
ence from  the  English.  Its  eight  'acts'  follow  in 
rude  epitome  the  same  course,  omitting,  together 
with  everything  distinctively  learned,  much  that  was 
needed  to  make  the  plot  coherent  and  intelligible.' 

^  How  slight  a  bearing  the         •  Thus  the  sacrifice  of  Ta- 

names  have  upon  the   literary  mora's  son  disappears  from  the 

history  of  the  piece  may  be  m-  first  Act,  and  with  it  the  ground 

ferred  from  the  fact   that   the  and  justification  of  the  queen's 

name  of  Titus' daughter,  Ztfv{»t<z  insatiable  thirst  for  vengeance, 

in  the  English  play,  is  Andronica  Titus'  epistolary  summons  to  the 

in  the  German,  Roxelyne  in  Vos,  gods  is  in  a  style  of  humour  too 

and  Lavinia  again  in  the  pro-  learned  for  the  purpose  of  the 

gramme  of  1699  of  a  play  other-  English    comedians,    and    dis- 

wise  wholly  founded  on  Vos.  appears  from  the  play ;  but  an 

>  W.  Creizenach :  Schaw^tU  accidental  allusion  to  it  later  on 

der    engHtchen    CowugdianUn,  (Act  VII.)  shows  that  it  occurred 

p.  5.  in  the  original. 
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Titus  Andronicus 

At  the  most  a  few  unimportant  details  of  an  earlier 
version  of  the  story  (perhaps  a  novel)  neglected  in 
our  play,  possibly  survive.^  The  play  seems  in  all 
essentials  to  be  merely  a  mutilated  and  simplified 
version  of  the  English  text 
Authorship  It  remains  to  disct^s  the  claims  of  this  play  to 
be  included  among  the  works  of  Shakespeare.  The 
strength  of  the  external  evidence  is  beyond  dispute. 
Meres  in  1598  mentioned  TXtus  Andronicus  among 
the  plays  on  which  Shakespeare's  feme  was  foimded ; 
every  other  play  in  his  list  being  of  unquestioned 
authenticity.  The  inclusion  of  the  play  in  the  First 
Folio  at  least  guarantees  that  Shakespeare  had  some 
share  in  it.  Not  much  weight  can  be  allowed  to  a 
late  tradition  recorded  by  Ravenscroft,  who  tells  us 
(Preface  to  IlUus  Andronicus^  1687)  that  he  had  heard 
from  *  some  anciently  conversant  with  the  Stage,  that 
it  was  not  originally  his  (Shakespeare's)  but  brought 
by  a  private  author  to  be  acted,  and  he  only  gave 
some  master-touches  to  one  or  two  of  the  principal 
parts  and  characters.'  This  tradition  may  of  course 
be  authentic ;  but  it  may  have  originated  merely  in 
the  inevitable  attempt  to  explain  how  a  play  in  many 
ways  so  unlike  Shakespeare  came  to  bear  his  name. 
A  similar  hypothesis  has  commended  itself  to  most 
English  critics  who  have  allowed  Shakespeare  any 
participation  in  the  play  at  alL  But  the  attempts 
which  have  been  made  to  specify  Shakespearean 
additions  are  very  unconvincing.  To  single  put  a 
melodious  line  or  a  telling  image  here  and  there  as 
Shakespeare's,  presupposes  a  theory  of  literary  pro- 
duction which  would  render  every  man's  title  hazardous 
to  the  work  of  his  most  brilliant  moments.     The  little 

^  The  most  palpable  addition  with  the  queen  of  'Mehrenland,' 
to  the  matter  is  Morian  ( Aaron)'s  and  the  conquest  of  the  land  l^ 
account  of  his  previous  relations     the  Romans. 

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Introduction 

groups  of  three  or  six  lines  which  have  thus  been 
singled  out  ^  do  not  stand  off  from  the  context  by  any 
discrepancy  of  manner ;  the  same  style  and  movement 
merely  acquire  a  somewhat  heightened  vivacity  and 
colouring.  It  is  at  least  a  delicate  criticism  which 
will  assign,  for  instance,  the  opening  phrases  of  Titus' 
lament  over  his  ravished  Lavinia  to  Shakespeare : — 

he  that  wounded  her 
Hath  hurt  me  more  than  had  he  kilPd  me  dead  : 
For  now  I  stand  as  one  upon  a  rock 
Environed  with  a  wilderness  of  sea, 
Who  marks  the  waxing  tide  grow  wave  by  wave, 
Expecting  ever  when  some  envious  surge 
Will  in  his  brinish  bowels  swallow  him — 

(iii.  I.  91  f.) 

and  yet  permit  the  *  author  of  the  rude  original 
which  Shakespeare  touched  up'  to  have  written,  a 
few  lines  farther  on, — 

Look,  Marcus  !  ah,  son  Lucius,  look  on  her  !    . 
When  I  did  name  her  brothers,  then  fresh  tears 
Stood  on  her  cheeks,  as  doth  the  honey-dew 
Upon  a  gather*d  lily  almost  withered. 

(iii.  I.  no  f.) 

Difficult,  however,  as  any  *  touching  up '  theory  is 
to  make  plausible  in  detail,  the  view  that  the  whole 
is  Shakespeare's  work  is  not  to  be  lightly  adopted. 
Neither  in  the  choice  of  subject  nor  in  the  structure 
of  the  plot  is  there  much  that  recalls  Shakespeare. 
In  his  later  dealings  as  a  dramatist  with  the  Roman 
world  he  either  re-created  history,  as  in  the  three 
great  Roman  tragedies,  or  frankly  ignored  it,  as  in 
Cymbeline  ;  he  never  attempted  to  reproduce  or  emu- 
late the  bizarre  invention  of  lYtus^  where  quasi-historic 
figures  from  the  age  of  the  Goths  play  their  part  in 

*  The  following  have  been  3.  10-15  ;  iii.  i.  82-86,  91-7 ; 
specified:  i.  1.9,70-6,117-119,  iv.  4.  81-6;  v.  2.  21-27;  3. 
14X,  142  ;  ii.  I.  82,  83  ;  2.  1-6  ;      160-8. 

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Titus  Andronicus 

stories  borrowed  from  classic  mythology  or  legend 
and  steeped  in  the  artificial  literary  atmosphere  of 
Ovid  and  Seneca.  Ignorant  as  we  are  of  the  source 
of  the  story,^  we  can  hardly  be  wrong  in  assuming 
that  the  tragic  fortunes  of  Lavinia  are  modelled  on 
those  of  the  Ovidian  Philomela,  and  the  grim  venge- 
ance of  Titus  on  the  legend  of  Atreus.  The  haunted, 
sunless  wood  where  Atreus  slays  his  nephews  (Sen. 
TkyesteSy  650  f.)  has  passed  over  into  the  'barren 
detested  vale '  where  Bassianus  is  slain  and  Lavinia 
ravished.^  In  the  death  of  Lavinia  at  her  father's 
hands  the  memory  of  Virginia  seems  to  be  blended, 
if  not  confused,  with  that  of  Lucrece ;  and  the  con- 
fusion may  diminish  the  difficulty  we  otherwise  feel 
in  associating  the  profuse  classical  learning  of  the 
play  with  Shakespeare's  small  Latin  and  less  Greek. 
In  the  bloodthirsty  Tamora,  lastly,  who  so  terribly 
avenges  her  slaughtered  son,  we  may  perhaps  find  a 
reminiscence  of  the  Scythian  queen  Tomyris,  who 
wreaked  her  son's  death  not  less  grimly  upon  Cyrus. 
A  promiscuous  aggregation  of  materials  like  this 
strikes  us  as  un-Shakespearean.  Yet  it  is  not  unlike, 
in  the  tragic  sphere,  what  the  author  of  Love's 
Labour  *s  Lost  attempted  in  the  sphere  of  comic  satire. 
The  same  alert  mind  which  there  assembled  oddities 
and  extravagances  from  every  phase  of  contemporary 
life,  may  have  gratified  the  same  instinct  for  profusion 
and  multiplicity  by  weaving  from  its  school-reminis- 
cences this  horrible  fantasia  of  classical  legends. 
Moreover,  with  all  the  extravagance  of  certain  in- 
cidents, Titus  Andronicus  bears  marks  of  the  sanity 
and   self-control  which   distinguish  even    the  most 

^  The  often -repeated  state-  to  rest  on  an  error.     There  is 

ment  (first  made  by  Steevens)  no  evidence  that  the  story  existed 

that   Painter  in  the  Palace  of  in  any  form  before  the  play. 
Pleasure  (1567)  mentions  'Titus         ^  Cunliffe,  Influence  cf  Seneca 

Andronicus  and  Tamora '  seems  on  Elixabethan  Tragedy,  p.  7a 

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Introduction 

daring  work  of  the  young  Shakespeare.  Though 
perilously  full  of  matter,  the  plot  is  clear  and  compact ; 
the  immense  tragic  forces  which  are  let  loose  contend 
for  dominance  in  interest  as  well  as  for  the  triumph 
of  their  cause;  but  their  encounters  are  adequately 
motived,  and  with  all  their  energy  of  wrath  they 
do  not  lose  themselves  in  the  annihilating  frenzy 
which  blurs  the  outlines  of  Marlowe's  Barabas, 
The  three  great  contrivers  of  the  harms,  Titus, 
Tamora,  and  Aaron,  are  shaped  with  a  rude  and 
somewhat  uncertain  hand;  but  a  trait  here  and 
there  suggests  the  future  author  of  Richard  IIL^  of 
LeoTy  and  Othello  in  this  resolute  emulator  of  Marlowe 
and  Kyd.^  Titus  and  Tamora  bear  the  stamp  of  the 
Kydian  tragedy  of  Revenge.  Their  tragic  career  is 
provoked  by  a  deadly,  unpardonable  wrong.  Aaron, 
on  the  other  hand,  is  related  rather  to  the  Marlowesque 
tragedy  of  daemonic  energy, — virtil — ^which  dooms 
its  victims  out  of  pure  malignancy.^  But  Titus  has 
touches  of  a  Shakespearean  magnanimity  which 
remove  him  far  from  the  blind  pursuer  of  vengeance. 
His  generous  disclaimer  of  the  imperial  crown  in 
the  opening  scene  fitly  preludes  the  nobly-imagined 
scene  in  which  he  hews  off  his  hand  to  save  his  sons. 
The  scene  (iiL  2.)  where  the  two  brothers  so  passion- 
ately moralise  the  death  of  a  fly,  already  heralds 
those  apparently  trivial  moments  of  pause  which  the 
mature  Shakespeare  is  wont  to  make  pregnant  of 

*  These  faint  affinities  have  motive  for  crime  from  his  un- 

been  worked  out  with  much  in-  promising  exterior  : — 

genuity  by  Prof.  A.  SchrSer  in  Let  foob  do  good,  and  fair  meo  call 
his  interesting  study  of  the  play  for  grace, 

Uber  Titus  Andronicus  (Mar-  Aaron  wiU  have  bis  soul  black  like 
burg,  1891).  '*"'^*^ 

^  There  are  curious  analogies  Cf.  also  his  monologue  in  ii.  i. 

in  detail    between    Aaron  and  with  Richard's  opening  solilo- 

Richard  III.     He  also  derives  a  quy.     (Schrber, //.,S.,  p.  115.) 

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Titus  Andronicus 

tragic  suggestion.  And  the  tenderness  for  his  child 
which  so  suddenly  and  strangely  intrudes  upon  the 
fiendish  malignity  of  Aaron,  is  a  trait  which  might 
well  escape  from  the  pen  of  the  future  delineator  of 
Shylock  and  his  daughter.  Most  critics  have  recog- 
nised Shakespearean  touches  in  the  style.  Certainly, 
the  bookish  allusions  which  are  so  abundantly  woven 
into  its  texture  are  tempered  with  many  touches 
caught  from  the  open-air  life  of  nature  such  as  no- 
where fail  in  the  young  Shakespeare.  A  woodland 
brake — a  *  pleasant  chase ' — is  the  scene  of  the  most 
tragic  deed  in  the  whole  play,  and  we  are  not  allowed 
to  forget  over  the  sufferings  of  Lavinia  the  morning 
dew  upon  the  leaves  or  their  chequered  shadow  upon 
the  ground  ^  as  they  quiver  in  the  breeze. 

The  data  for  a  conclusive  case  on  the  authorship 
of  TYtus  Andronicus  are  wholly  wanting.  English 
criticism  has  too  peremptorily  decided  against  Shake- 
speare's claim  on  the  ground  of  the  palpable  defects 
of  the  plot,  and  the  difficulty  of  bringing  this  grim 
tragedy  into  relation  with  the  bright  and  joyous 
comedy  which  apparently  occupied  Shakespeare's 
early  manhood.  But  we  know  far  too  little  of  that 
early  manhood  to  be  entitled  to  exclude  from  it 
whatever  will  not  fall  in  with  a  particular  scheme  of 
development;  and,  in  view  of  the  strong  external 
evidence,  the  more  critical  course  appears  to  be  a 
qualified  acceptance. 

^  It  has  been  pointed  out  by  Shakespearean   passages.      Ci 

Dr.  Cunliflfe  in  his  valuable  study  e.g.  with  this  passage  (ii.  3. )  the 

of  the  Influence  of  Seneca  on  lines  : — 

Elizabethan  Tragedy,  ibsX  some  ^ic  aves  querulae  fremunt 

of  the  most  stnkmg  of  the  Sene-  ramique  ventis  Icne  percussi  tremunt 
can    parallels   with  which    this  Hippolytus^  516. 

play  abounds  occur  in  the  more 

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.        TITUS  ANDRONICUS 

ACT  I. 

Scene  I.     Rome.     Before  the  Capitol. 

The  Tomb  of  the  Andronici  appearing ;  the 
Tribunes  and  Senators  aloft.  Enter,  below, 
from  one  side,  Saturninus  and  his  Followers ; 
and,  from  the  other  side,  Bassianus  and  his 
Followers ;  with  drum  and  colours. 

Sat  Noble  patricians,  patrons  of  my  right, 
Defend  the  justice  of  my  cause  with  arms, 
And,  countrymen,  my  loving  followers. 
Plead  my  successive  title  with  your  swords : 
I  am  his  first-born  son,  that  was  the  last 
That  wore  the  imperial  diadem  of  Rome ; 
Then  let  my  father's  honours  live  in  me, 
Nor  wrong  mine  age  with  this  indignity. 

Bas,  Romans,  friends,  followers,  favourers  of  my 
right, 
If  ever  Bassianus,  Caesar's  son. 
Were  gracious  in  the  eyes  of  royal  Rome, 
Keep  then  this  passage  to  the  Capitol 

Sc,  I.  akft,  i.e.  in  the  capitoL      succeed. 

4.    successive   titUt    title    to        8.  age,  seniority. 

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Titus  Andronicus  acti 

And  suffer  not  dishonour  to  approach 

The  imperial  seat,  to  virtue  consecrate, 

To  justice,  continence  and  nobility ; 

But  let  desert  in  pure  election  shine. 

And,  Romans,  fight  for  freedom  in  your  choice. 

Enter  Marcus  Andronicus,  akfi^  with  the 
crown. 

Marc.  Princes,  that  strive  by  factions  and  by 
friends 
Ambitiously  for  rule  and  empery. 
Know  that  the  people  of  Rome,  for  whom  we  stand  » 
A  special  party,  have,  by  common  voice. 
In  election  for  the  Roman  empery. 
Chosen  Andronicus,  sumamed  Pius 
For  many  good  and  great  deserts  to  Rome : 
A  nobler  man,  a  braver  warrior. 
Lives  not  this  day  within  the  city  walls : 
He  by  the  senate  is  accited  home 
From  weary  wars  against  the  barbarous  Goths ; 
That,  with  his  sons,  a  terror  to  our  foes, 
Hath  yoked  a  nation  strong,  trained  up  in  arms.        30 
Ten  years  are  spent  since  first  he  undertook 
This  cause  of  Rome  and  chastised  with  arms 
Our  enemies'  pride :  five  times  he  hath  retum'd 
Bleeding  to  Rome,  bearing  his  valiant  sons 
In  coffins  from  the  field ; 
And  now  at  last,  laden  with  honour's  spoils, 
Returns  the  good  Andronicus  to  Rome, 
Renowned  Titus,  flourishing  in  arms. 
Let  us  entreat,  by  honour  of  his  name, 
Whom  worthily  you  would  have  now  succeed,  40 

And  in  the  Capitol  and  Senate's  right. 
Whom  you  pretend  to  honour  and  adore, 
That  you  withdraw  you  and  abate  your  strength ; 

27.  accited,  sammoned.  4a.  pretend,  claim. 

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8C.  I 


Titus  Aridronicus 


Dismiss  your  followers  and,  as  suitors  should, 
Plead  your  deserts  in  peace  and  humbleness. 
Sat  How  fair  the  tribune  speaks  to  calm  my 

thoughts ! 
Bos.  Marcus  Andronicus,  so  I  do  affy 
In  thy  uprightness  and  integrity, 
And  so  I  love  and  honour  thee  and  thine. 
Thy  noble  brother  Titus  and  his  sons,  50 

And  her  to  whom  my  thoughts  are  humbled  all, 
Gracious  Lavinia,  Rome's  rich  ornament, 
That  I  will  here  dismiss  my  loving  friends, 
And  to  my  fortunes  and  the  people's  favour 
Commit  my  cause  in  balance  to  be  weigh'd. 

[Exeunt  the  Followers  of  Bassianus. 
Sat.  Friends,  that  have  been  thus  forward  in 
my  right, 
I  thank  you  all  and  here  dismiss  you  all. 
And  to  the  love  and  favour  of  my  country 
Commit  myself  my  person  and  the  cause. 

[Exeunt  the  Followers  of  Saturninus, 
Rome,  be  as  just  and  gracious  unto  me  60 

As  I  am  confident  and  kind  to  thee. 
Open  the  gates,  and  let  me  in. 

Bos.  Tribunes,  and  me,  a  poor  competitor. 

[Flourish.     Saturninus  and  Bassianus  go 
up  into  the  Capitol. 

Enter  a  Captain. 

Cap.  Romans,  make  way :  the  good  Andronicus, 
Patron  of  virtue,  Rome's  best  champion, 
Successful  in  the  battles  that  he  fights. 
With  honour  and  with  fortune  is  returned 
From  where  he  circumscribed  with  his  sword, 
And  brought  to  yoke,  the  enemies  of  Rome. 

47.  ajjy,  confide. 
65.  Patron,  advocate,  appointed  defender  (Lat  'patronus'). 


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Titus  Andronicus  acti 

Drums  and  trumpets  sounded.  Enter  Mar- 
Tius  and  Mutius;  after  them^  two  Men 
bearing  a  coffin  covered  with  black;  then 
Lucius  and  Quintus.  After  them,  Titus 
Andronicus  ;  and  then  Tamora,  with  Alar- 
bus,  Demetrius,  Chiron,  Aaron,  and  other 
Goths,  prisoners  ;  Soldiers  and  Vqo^Iq  follow- 
ing. The  Bearers  set  down  the  coffin^  and 
Titus  speaks. 

Tit.    Hail,  Rome,  victorious  in  thy  mourning 
weeds !  70 

Lo,  as  the  bark,  that  hath  discharged  her  fraught, 
Returns  with  precious  lading  to  the  bay 
From  whence  at  first  she  weighed  her  anchorage, 
Cometh  Andronicus,  bound  with  laurel  boughs, 
To  re-salute  his  country  with  his  tears. 
Tears  of  true  joy  for  his  return  to  Rome. 
Thou  great  defender  of  this  Capitol, 
Stand  gracious  to  the  rites  that  we  intend ! 
Romans,  of  five  and  twenty  valiant  sons, 
Half  of  the  number  that  King  Priam  had,  80 

Behold  the  poor  remains,  alive  and  dead ! 
These  that  survive  let  Rome  rewiard  with  love ; 
These  that  I  bring  unto  their  latest  home, 
With  burial  amongst  their  ancestors : 
Here  Goths  have  given  me  leave  to  sheathe  my 

sword. 
Titus,  unkind  and  careless  of  thine  own. 
Why  suffer'st  thou  thy  sons,  unburied  yet. 
To  hover  on  the  dreadful  shore  of  Styx  ? 
Make  way  to  lay  them  by  their  brethren. 

[The  tomb  is  opened. 
There  greet  in  silence,  as  the  dead  are  wont,  90 

And  sleep  in  peace,  slain  in  your  country's  wars ! 
O  sacred  receptacle  of  my  joys, 
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SC.  I 


Titus  Andronicus 


Sweet  cell  of  virtue  and  nobility, 

How  many  sons  of  mine  hast  thou  in  store, 

That  thou  wilt  never  render  to  me  more ! 

Luc,  Give  us  the  proudest  prisoner  of  the  Goths, 
That  we  may  hew  his  limbs,  and  on  a  pile 
Ad  manes  fratrum  sacrifice  his  flesh, 
Before  this  earthy  prison  of  their  bones ; 
That  so  the  shadows  be  not  unappeased,  \ 

Nor  we  disturbed  with  prodigies  on  earth. 

Tit  I  give  him  you,  the  noblest  that  survives, 
The  eldest  son  of  this  distressed  queen. 

Tanu  Stay,  Roman  brethren  I     Gracious  con- 
queror, 
Victorious  Titus,  rue  the  tears  I  shed, 
A  mother's  tears  in  passion  for  her  son : 
And  if  thy  sons  were  ever  dear  to  thee, 
O,  think  my  son  to  be  as  dear  to  me ! 
Sufficeth  not  that  we  are  brought  to  Rome, 
To  beautify  thy  triumphs  and  return,  ] 

Captive  to  thee  and  to  thy  Roman  yoke. 
But  must  my  sons  be  slaughtered  in  the  streets. 
For  valiant  doings  in  their  country's  cause  ? 
O,  if  to  fight  for  king  and  commonweal 
Were  piety  in  thine,  it  is  in  these. 
Andronicus,  stain  not  thy  tomb  with  blood : 
Wilt  thou  draw  near  the  nature  of  the  gods  ? 
Draw  rear  them  then  in  being  merciful : 
Sweet  mercy  is  nobility's  true  badge : 
Thrice  noble  Titus,  spare  my  first-bom  son.  i 

Tit  Patient  yourself,  madam,  and  pardon  me. 
These  are  their  brethren,  whom  you  Goths  beheld 
Alive  and  dead,  and  for  their  brethren  slain 
Religiously  they  ask  a  sacrifice : 
To  this  your  son  is  mark'd,  and  die  he  must. 
To  appease  their  groaning  shadows  that  are  gone. 

121.  Patient  yourself  ^  have  patience. 
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Imc,  Awslj  with  him !  and  make  a  fire  straight ; 
And  with  our  swords,  upon  a  pile  of  wood, 
Let 's  hew  his  limbs  till  they  be  clean  consumed. 
[Exeunt  LiuiuSy  Quintus^  Martins^  and 
Mutius^  with  Alarbus. 

Tarn,  O  cruel,  irreligious  piety !  130 

ChL  Was  ever  Scythia  half  so  barbarous  ? 

Dem.  Oppose  not  Scythia  to  ambitious  Rome. 
Alarbus  goes  to  rest ;  and  we  survive 
To  tremble  under  Titus'  threatening  looks. 
Then,  madam,  stand  resolved,  but  hope  withal 
The  sdf-same  gods  that  arm'd  the  Queen  of  Troy 
With  opportunity  of  sharp  revenge 
Upon  tiie  Thracian  tyrant  in  his  tent. 
May  favour  Tamora,  the  Queen  of  (Joths — 
When  Goths  were  Goths  and  Tamora  was  queen —  140 
To  quit  the  bloody  wrongs  upon  her  foes. 

Re-enter  Lucius,  Quintus,  Martius,  and 
MuTius,  with  their  swords  bloody. 

Luc,  See,  lord  and  father,  how  we  have  performed 
Our  Roman  rites :  Alarbus'  limbs  are  lopp'd, 
And  entrails  feed  the  sacrificing  fire. 
Whose  smoke,  like  incense,  doth  perfume  the  sky. 
Remaineth  nought,  but  to  inter  our  brethren, 
And  with  loud  'larums  welcome  them  to  Rome. 

Tit  Let  it  be  so ;  and  let  Andronicus 
Make  this  his  latest  farewell  to  their  souls. 

[Trumpets  sounded^  and  the  coffin  laid  in 

the  tomb. 
In  peace  and  honour  rest  you  here,  my  sons ;  150 

Rome's  readiest  champions,  repose  you  here  in  rest, 

138.    the    Thracian    tyrant,  latcd,    in    vengeance    for    his 

Poljrmnestor,    whom    Hecuba,  murder  of  her  son  Polydoms. 

according  to  one  tradition,  be-  Hence  Theobald  proposed  '  her 

guiled  into  her  tent  and  muti-  tent' 

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sc.  I  Titus  Andronicus 

Secure  from  worldly  chances  and  mishaps ! 
Here  lurks  no  treason,  here  no  envy  swells, 
Here  grow  no  damned  drugs ;  here  are  no  storms, 
No  noise,  but  silence  and  eternal  sleep : 
In  peace  and  honour  rest  you  here,  my  sons ! 

Enter  Lavinia. 

Imv.  In  peace  and  honour  live  Lord  Titus  long ; 
My  noble  lord  and  father,  live  in  fame ! 
Lo,  at  this  tomb  my  tributary  tears 
I  render,  for  my  brethren's  obsequies ;  x6o 

And  at  thy  feet  I  kneel,  with  tears  of  joy, 
Shed  on  the  earth,  for  thy  return  to  Rome : 
O,  bless  me  here  with  thy  victorious  hand, 
Whose  fortunes  Rome's  best  citizens  applaud ! 

Tit  Kind  Rome,  that  hast  thus  lovingly  reserved 
The  cordial  of  mine  age  to  glad  my  heart ! 
Lavinia,  live ;  outlive  thy  father's  days, 
And  fame's  eternal  date,  for  virtue's  praise  ! 

Entcry  btloWy  Marcus  Andronicus  and  Tri- 
bunes ;  re-enter  Saturninus  and  Bassianus, 
attended. 

Marc.  Long  live  Lord  Titus,  my  beloved  brother, 
Gracious  triumpher  in  the  eyes  of  Rome !  170 

Tit.    Thanks,   gentle    tribune,    noble    brother 
Marcus. 

Marc.  And  welcome,  nephews,  from  successful 
wars. 
You  that  survive,  and  you  that  sleep  in  fame ! 
Fair  lords,  your  fortunes  are  alike  in  all, 
That  in  your  country's  service  drew  your  swords : 
But  safer  triumph  is  this  funeral  pomp, 

154*  ^''*^/ so Qj; 'grudges/  170.    Gracious,  i.e.    'in  the 

Qj  Ft  eyes  of  Rome.' 


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Titus  Andronicus  act  i 

That  hath  aspired  to  Solon's  happiness 

And  triumphs  over  chance  in  honour's  bed. 

Titus  Andronicus,  the  people  of  Rome, 

Whose  friend  in  justice  thou  hast  ever  been,  oo 

Send  thee  by  me,  their  tribune  and  their  trust, 

This  palliament  of  white  and  spotless  hue ; 

And  name  thee  in  election  for  the  empire, 

With  these  our  late-deceased  emperor's  sons : 

Be  candidatus  then,  and  put  it  on, 

And  help  to  set  a  head  on  headless  Rome. 

Tit  A  better  head  her  glorious  body  fits 
Than  his  that  shakes  for  age  and  feebleness  : 
What  should  I  don  this  robe,  and  trouble  you  ? 
Be  chosen  with  proclamations  to-day,  290 

To-morrow  yield  up  rule,  resign  my  life. 
And  set  abroad  new  business  for  you  all  ? 
Rome,  I  have  been  thy  soldier  forty  years. 
And  led  my  country's  strength  successfully. 
And  buried  one  and  twenty  valiant  sons, 
Knighted  in  field,  slain  manfully  in  arms. 
In  right  and  service  of  their  noble  country  : 
Give  me  a  staff  of  honour  for  mine  age. 
But  not  a  sceptre  to  control  the  world : 
Upright  he  held  it,  lords,  that  held  it  last.  aoo 

Marc,    Titus,   thou   shalt   obtain  and  ask  the 
empery. 

Sat  Proud  and  ambitious  tribune,  canst  thou 
tell? 

Tit  Patience,  Prince  Satuminus. 

Sat  Romans,  do  me  right : 

Patricians,  draw  your  swords,  and  sheathe  them  not 
Till  Satuminus  be  Rome's  emperor. 

177.   Solon's  happiness:  hap-  182.      palliament^      Roman 

piness  as  conceived  by  Solon,  mantle  (a  coinage  from   'pal- 

who  declared  that  no  man  was  hum'). 

to  be  called  happy  before  he         aoi.  obtain  and  euk,  obtain 

died.  merely  by  asking. 

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sc.  I  Titus  Andronicus 

Andronicus,  would  thou  wert  shipped  to  hell, 
Rather  than  rob  me  of  the  people's  hearts ! 

Luc.  Proud  Saturnine,  interrupter  of  the  good 
That  noble-minded  Titus  means  to  thee  ! 

Tit.  Content  thee,  prince ;  I  will  restore  to  thee  sio 
The  people's  hearts,  and  wean  them  from  them- 
selves. 

Bos,  Andronicus,  I  do  not  flatter  thee, 
But  honour  thee,  and  will  do  till  I  die : 
My  faction  if  thou  strengthen  with  thy  friends, 
I  will  most  thankful  be ;  and  thanks  to  men 
Of  noble  minds  is  honourable  meed 

Tit  People  of  Rome,  and  people's  tribunes  here, 
I  ask  your  voices  and  your  suffrages : 
Will  you  bestow  them  friendly  on  Andronicus  ? 

Tribunes.  To  gratify  the  good  Andronicus,  no 

And  gratulate  his  safe  return  to  Rome, 
The  people  will  accept  whom  he  admits. 

Tit.  Tribunes,  I  thank  you:  and  this  suit  I 
make, 
That  you  create  your  emperor's  eldest  son. 
Lord  Sattunine ;  whose  virtues  will,  I  hope. 
Reflect  on  Rome  as  Titan's  rays  on  earth. 
And  ripen  justice  in  this  commonweal : 
Then,  if  you  will  elect  by  my  advice, 
Crown  him,  and  say  *  Long  live  our  emperor ! ' 

Marc.  With  voices  and  applause  of  every  sort,     230 
Patricians  and  plebeians,  we  create 
Lord  Saturninus  Rome's  great  emperor, 
And  say  *  Long  live  our  Emperor  Saturnine  !  * 

\A  long  flourish  till  they  come  down. 

Sat.  Titus  Andronicus,  for  thy  favours  done 
To  us  in  our  election  this  day, 
I  give  thee  thanks  in  part  of  thy  deserts, 

231.-  gratulate t    mark    our         224.  create t  elect, 
satisfaction  at.  230.  iortt  class  (of  citizens). 

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Titus  Andronicus  acti 

And  will  with  deeds  requite  thy  gentleness : 

And,  for  an  onset,  Titus,  to  advance 

Thy  name  and  honourable  family, 

Lavinia  will  I  make  my  empress,  #40 

Rome's  royal  mistress,  mistress  of  my  heart, 

And  in  the  sacred  Pantheon  her  espouse : 

Tell  me,  Andronicus,  doth  this  motion  please  thee  ? 

Tit  It  doth,  my  worthy  lord ;  and  in  this  match 
I  hold  me  highly  honoured  of  your  grace : 
And  here  in  sight  of  Rome  to  Saturnine, 
King  and  commander  of  our  commonweal, 
The  wide  world's  emperor,  do  I  consecrate 
My  sword,  my  chariot  and  my  prisoners ; 
Presents  well  worthy  Rome's  imperial  lord :  950 

Receive  them  then,  the  tribute  that  I  owe. 
Mine  honour's  ensigns  humbled  at  thy  feet 

Sat  Thanks,  noble  Titus,  father  of  my  life ! 
How  proud  I  am  of  thee  and  of  thy  gifts 
Rome  shall  record,  and  when  I  do  forget 
The  least  of  these  unspeakable  deserts, 
Romans,  forget  your  fealty  to  me. 

Tit    [To    Tamora]    Now,    madam,    are    you 
prisoner  to  an  emperor ; 
To  him  that,  for  your  honour  and  your  state^ 
Will  use  you  nobly  and  your  followers.  mo 

Sat  A  goodly  lady,  trust  me ;  of  the  hue 
That  I  would  choose,  were  I  to  choose  anew. 
Clear  up,  fair  queen,  that  cloudy  countenance : 
Though  chance  of  war  hath  wrought  this  change 

of  cheer. 
Thou  comest  not  to  be  made  a  scorn  in  Rome : 
Princely  shall  be  thy  usage  every  way. 
Rest  on  my  word,  and  let  not  discontent 
Daunt  all  your  hopes :  madam,  he  comforts  you 

238.    onset   first  step  (Ger.  240.  tfiw/riesi  (three  sjUabtes). 

'Ansatz').  243.  motion,  proposal. 

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8c.  I  Titus  Andronicus 

Can  make  you  greater  than  the  Queen  of  Goths. 
Lavinia,  you  are  not  displeased  with  this  ?  270 

Lav.  Not  I,  my  lord ;  sith  true  nobility 
Warrants  these  words  in  princely  courtesy. 

SaL  Thanks,  sweet  Lavinia.    Romans,  let  us  go ; 
Ransomless  here  we  set  our  prisoners  free : 
Proclaim  our  honours,  lords,  with  trump  and  drum. 
\Flourish,     Satuminus  courts  Tamora 
in  dumb  show, 
Bas.  Lord  Titus,  by  your  leave,  this  maid  is 
mine.  \Seizing  Lavinia. 

Tit  How,  sir !  are  you  in  earnest  then,  my  lord  ? 
Bas.  Ay,  noble  Titus ;  and  resolved  withal 
To  do  myself  this  reason  and  this  right. 

Marc.  *  Suum  cuique '  is  our  Roman  justice :      aSo 
This  prince  in  justice  seizeth  but  his  own. 

Luc.  And  that  he  will,  and  shall,  if  Lucius  live. 
Tit.  Traitors,  avaunt !     Where  is  the  emperor's 
guard? 
Treason,  my  lord  1  Lavinia  is  surprised ! 
Sat.  Surprised !  by  whom  ? 
BcLs,  By  him  that  justly  may 

Bear  his  betrothed  from  all  the  world  away. 

\Exeunt  Bassianus  and  Marcus  with  Lavinia. 
Mut.  Brothers,  help  to  convey  her  hence  away, 
And  with  my  sword  I  '11  keep  this  door  safe. 

\Exeunt  Lucius.  QuintuSy  and  Martius. 
Tit.  Follow,  my  lord,  and  I  '11  soon  bring  her  back. 
Mut.  My  lord,  you  pass  not  here. 
Tit  What,  villain  boy!  990 

Barr'st  me  my  way  in  Rome  ?      [Stabbing  Mutius. 
Mut  Help,  Lucius,  help !     [Dies. 

[During  the  fray^  Satuminus^  Tamoray 
DemetriuSy  Chiron  and  Aaron  go  out 
and  re-enter y  above. 

288.  ^fiwr  (disyllabic). 


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Titus  Andronicus 


Re-enter  Lucius. 

Luc,  My  lord,  you  are  unjust,  and,  more  than  so, 
In  wrongful  quarrel  you  have  slain  your  son. 

Tit  Nor  thou,  nor  he,  are  any  sons  of  mine ;    . 
My  sons  would  never  so  dishonour  me  : 
Traitor,  restore  Lavinia  to  the  emperor. 

Luc,  Dead,  if  you  will ;  but  not  to  be  his  wife. 
That  is  another's  lawful  promised  love.  {Eocit 

Sat.  No,  Titus,  no ;  the  emperor  needs  her  not. 
Nor  her,  nor  thee,  nor  any  of  thy  stock  :  300 

I  *11  trust,  by  leisure,  him  that  mocks  me  once ; 
Thee  never,  nor  thy  traitorous  haughty  sons. 
Confederates  all  thus  to  dishonour  me. 
Was  there  none  else  in  Rome  to  make  a  stale. 
But  Saturnine  ?     Full  well,  Andronicus, 
Agree  these  deeds  with  that  proud  brag  of  thine, 
That  said*st  I  begg'd  the  empire  at  thy  hands. 

7Yt.  O  monstrous !  what  reproachful  words  are 
these  ? 

Sat,  But  go  thy  ways ;  go,  give  that  changing 
piece 
To  him  that  flourished  for  her  with  his  sword  :         310 
A  valiant  son-in-law  thou  shalt  enjoy ; 
One  fit  to  bandy  with  thy  lawless  sons. 
To  ruffle  in  the  commonwealth  of  Rome. 

Tit,    These  words  are  razors  to  my  wounded 
heart. 

Sat,  And  therefore,  lovely  Tamora,  queen  of 
Goths, 
That  like  the  stately  Phoebe  'mongst  her  nymphs 
Dost  overshine  the  gallanf  st  dames  of  Rome, 

298.    That,  i.e.  Lavinia.  dupe. 
301.  I'll  trust,  by  leisure,  I  309.  piece,  'creature.' 

shall  be  in  no  hurry  to  trust  313.    rw^,    riot,    be  turbu- 

304.    stale,    laughing-stock,  lent. 


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8c.  I  Titus  Andronicus 

If  thou  be  pleased  with  this  my  sudden  choice, 
Behold,  I  choose  thee,  Tamora,  for  my  bride. 
And  will  create  thee  empress  of  Rome.  330 

Speak,  Queen  of  Goths,  dost  thou  applaud  my 

choice? 
And  here  I  swear  by  all  the  Roman  gods, 
Sith  priest  and  holy  water  are  so  near. 
And  tapers  bum  so  bright,  and  every  thing 
In  readiness  for  Hymenseus  stand, 
I  will  not  re-salute  che  streets  of  Rome, 
Or  climb  my  palace,  till  from  forth  this  place 
I  lead  espoused  my  bride  along  with  me. 

Tarn,  And  here,  in  sight  of  heaven,  to  Rome  I 

swear, 
If  Saturnine  advance  the  Queen  of  Goths,  330 

She  will  a  handmaid  be  to  his  desires, 
A  loving  nurse,  a  mother  to  his  youth. 

Saf.    Ascend,   fair  queen,   Pantheon.      Lords, 

accompany 
Your  noble  emperor  and  his  lovely  bride. 
Sent  by  the  heavens  for  Prince  Saturnine, 
Whose  wisdom  hath  her  fortune  conquered : 
There  shall  we  consummate  our  spousal  rites. 

[Ex^nt  all  but  Titus. 
Tit,  I  am  not  bid  to  wait  upon  this  bride. 
Titus,  when  wert  thou  wont  to  walk  alone. 
Dishonoured  thus,  and  challenged  of  wrongs  ?  340 

Re-enter  Marcus,  Lucius,  Quintus,  and 
Martius. 

Marc,  O  Titus,  see,  O,  see  what  thou  hast  done ! 
In  a  bad  quarrel  slain  a  virtuous  son. 

Tit,  No,  foolish  tribune,  no ;  no  son  of  mine, 

333.  /'<a«/A/a»,  the  Pantheon ;         338.  bid,  invited, 
the  temple  built  by  Agrippa  in 

the  Campus  Martius,  A.D.  27.  34a  chalkngedt  accused. 

VOL.  VII  305  X 


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Titus  Andronicus 


ACT  I 


Nor  thou,  nor  these,  confederates  in  the  deed 
That  hath  dishononr'd  all  our  familj ; 
Unworthy  brother,  and  unwortl^  sons ! 

Luc,  But  let  us  give  him  burial,  as  becomes ; 
Give  Mutius  burial  with  our  bretlu^n. 

Tit  Traitors,  away !  he  rests  not  in  this  tomb : 
This  monument  five  hundred  years  hath  stood,       350 
Which  I  have  sumptuously  re-edified : 
Here  none  but  soldiers  and  Rome's  servitors 
Repose  in  fame ;  none  basely  slain  in  teiwls : 
Bury  him  where  you  can ;  he  comes  not  here. 

Marc.  My  lord,  this  fa  impiety  in  you : 
My  nephew  Mutius'  deeds  do  plead  for  him ; 
He  must  be  buried  with  his  brethren. 

ji/\  \  And  shall,  or  him  we  will  accompany. 

Tit  '  And  shall ! '  what  villain  was  it  spake  that 

word? 
Quin.  He  that  would  vouch  it  in  any  place  but 

here.  sfo 

Tit  What,  would  you  bury  him  in  my  despite  ? 
Marc.  No,  noble  Titus,  but  entreat  of  thee 
To  pardon  Mutius  and  to  bury  him. 

Tit  Marcus,  even  thou  hast  struck  upon  my  crest. 
And,  with  these  boys,   mine   honour   thou    hast 

wounded : 
My  foes  I  do  repute  you  every  one ; 
So,  trouble  me  no  more,  but  get  you  gone. 

Mart,  He  is  not  with  himself;  let  us  withdraw. 
Quin,  Not  I,  till  Mutius*  bones  be  buried. 

[Marcus  and  the  Sons  of  Titus  kneei. 
Marc.   Brother,  for  in  that  name  doth  nature 

plead, —  370 

Quin.    Father,  and  in  that  name  doth  nature 
speak, — 

368.  is  not  with  himse^;  is  '  beside  himsdt' 
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sc.  I  Titus  Andronicus 

Tit  Speak  thou  no  more,  if  all  the  rest  will  speed. 

Marc.    Renowned  Titus,  more  than  half  my 
soul, — 

Luc.  Dear  &ther,  soul  and  substance  of  us  all, — 

Marc.  Suffer  thy  brother  Marcus  to  inter 
His  noble  nephew  here  in  virtue's  nest, 
That  died  in  honour  and  Lavinia's  cause. 
Thou  art  a  Roman ;  be  not  barbarous : 
The  Greeks  upon  advice  did  bury  Ajax 
That  slew  himself;  and  wise  Laertes'  son  380 

Did  graciously  plead  for  his  funerals : 
Let  not  young  Mutius,  then,  that  was  thy  joy, 
Be  barr'd  his  entrance  here. 

Tit.  Rise,  Marcus,  rise. 

The  dismall'st  day  is  this  that  e'er  I  saw. 
To  be  dishonoured  by  my  sons  in  Rome ! 
Well,  bury  him,  and  bury  me  the  next 

[MuHus  is  put  into  the  tomb. 

Luc.  There  lie  thy  bones,  sweet  Mutius,  with  thy 
friends. 
Till  we  with  trophies  do  adorn  thy  tomb. 

All.  [Kneeling.']  No  man  shed  tears  for  noble 
Mutius ; 
He  lives  in  fkme  that  died  in  virtue's  cause.  390 

Marc,    My  lord,  to  step  out  of  these  dreary 
dumps. 
How  comes  it  that  the  subtle  Queen  of  Gc^s 
Is  of  a  sudden  thus  advanced  in  Rome  ? 

Til.  I  know  not,  Marcus ;  but  I  know  it  is : 
Whether  by  device  or  no,  the  heavens  can  tell : 
Is  she  not  then  beholding  to  the  man 
That  brought  her  for  this  high  good  turn  so  far? 
Yes,  and  will  nobly  him  remunerate. 

373.  speed,  gain  their  suit.  presented  in  Sophocles'  Ajax. 

379.    upon  advice^  after  de-         381.  funerals,  obsequies, 
liberation.     The  incklent  is  re-         396.  beholding,  indebted. 


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Titus  Andronicus  acti 

Flourish.  Re-enter^  from  one  side,  Saturninus 
attended,  Tamora,  Demetrius,  Chiron,  and 
Aaron  ;  from  the  other,  Bassianus,  Lavinia, 
and  others. 

Sat.  So,  Bassianus,  you  have  play'd  your  prize : 
God  give  you  joy,  sir,  of  your  gallant  bride !  400 

Bas.  And  you  of  yours,  my  lord !  I  say  no  more, 
Nor  wish  no  less ;  and  so,  I  take  my  leave. 

Sat.  Traitor,  if  Rome  have  law  or  we  have  power, 
Thou  and  thy  faction  shall  repent  this  rape. 

Bas.  Rape,  call  you  it,  my  lord,  to  seize  my  own, 
My  true-betrothed  love  and  now  my  wife  ? 
But  let  the  laws  of  Rome  determine  all ; 
Meanwhile  I  am  possessed  of  that  is  mine. 

Sat.  Tis  good,  sir :  you  are  very  short  with  us ; 
But,  if  we  Hve,  we  '11  be  as  sharp  with  you.  410 

Bas.  My  lord,  what  I  have  done,  as  best  I  may. 
Answer  I  must  and  shall  do  with  my  life. 
Only  thus  much  I  give  your  grace  to  know : 
By  all  the  duties  that  I  owe  to  Rome, 
This  noble  gentleman,  Lord  Titus  here. 
Is  in  opinion  and  in  honour  wronged ; 
That  in  the  rescue  of  Lavinia 
With  his  own  hand  did  slay  his  youngest  son, 
In  zeal  to  you  and  highly  moved  to  wrath 
To  be  controlled  in  that  he  frankly  gave :  4»> 

Receive  him,  then,  to  favour.  Saturnine, 
That  hath  expressed  himself  in  all  his  deeds 
A  father  and  a  friend  to  thee  and  Rome. 

Tit.  Prince  Bassianus,  leave  to  plead  my  deeds : 
'Tis  thou  and  those  that  have  dishonoured  me. 
Rome  and  the  righteous  heavens  be  my  judge, 
How  I  have  loved  and  honoured  Saturnine ! 

399.  play'd  your  prize,  won     schools, 
the  match,  a  term  of  the  fencing-         416.  opinion^  reputation. 

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Titus  Andronicus 


Tarn.  My  worthy  lord,  if  ever  Tamora 
Were  gracious  in  those  princely  eyes  of  thine, 
Then  hear  me  speak  indifferently  for  all ;  430 

And  at  my  suit,  sweet,  pardon  what  is  past. 

Sat  What,  madam  1  be  dishonoured  openly. 
And  basely  put  it  up  without  revenge  ? 

Tarn.    Not  so,  my  lord;  the  gods  of  Rome 
forfend 
I  should  be  author  to  dishonour  you ! 
But  on  mine  honour  dare  I  undertake 
For  good  Lord  Titus'  innocence  in  all ; 
Whose  fury  not  dissembled  speaks  his  griefs : 
Then,  at  my  suit,  look  graciously  on  him ; 
Lose  not  so  noble  a  friend  on  vain  suppose,  440 

Nor  with  sour  looks  afflict  his  gentle  heart. 
[Aside  to  Sat^  My  lord,  be  ruled  by  me,  be  won 

at  last; 
Dissemble  all  your  griefs  and  discontents : 
You  are  but  newly  planted  in  your  throne ; 
Lest,  then,  the  people,  and  patricians  too, 
Upon  a  just  survey,  take  Titus'  part. 
And  so  supplant  you  for  ingratitude, 
Which  Rome  reputes  to  be  a  heinous  sin, 
Yield  at  entreats ;  and  then  let  me  alone : 
1 11  find  a  day  to  massacre  them  all  450 

And  raze  their  faction  and  their  family. 
The  cruel  father  and  his  traitorous  sons, 
To  whom  I  sued  for  my  dear  son's  life. 
And  make  them  know  what  'tis  to  let  a  queen 
Kneel  in  the  streets  and  beg  for  grace  in  vain. 

Come,  come,  sweet  emperor ;  come,  Andronicus ; 
Take  up  this  good  old  man,  and  cheer  the  heart 

430.     indifferently ^    impart!-  honour, 

ally.  436.     undertake^    become 

435.  author  to  dishonour  you ^  surety. 

author  (Lat.  auctor)  of  your  dis-  449.  entreats^  entreaties. 


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Titus  Andronicus  acti 

That  dies  in  tempest  of  thy  angry  frown. 

Sat  Rise,  Titus,  rise;  my   empress  hath  pre- 
vailU 

Tit  I  thank  your  majesty,  and  her,  my  lord :     460 
These  words,  these  looks,  infuse  new  life  in  me. 

Tarn.  Titus,  I  am  incorporate  in  Rome, 
A  Roman  now  adopted  happily. 
And  must  advise  the  emperor  for  his  good. 
This  day  all  quarrels  die,  Andronicus ; 
And  let  it  be  mine  honour,  good  my  lord, 
That  I  have  reconciled  your  friends  and  you. 
For  you.  Prince  Bassianus,  I  have  pass'd 
My  word  and  promise  to  die  emperor. 
That  you  vrill  be  more  mild  and  tractabla  470 

And  fear  not,  lords,  and  you,  Lavinia ; 
By  my  advice,  all  humbled  on  your  knees. 
You  shall  ask  pardon  of  his  majesty. 

Luc   We  do,  and  vow  to  heaven  and  to  his 
highness, 
That  what  we  did  was  mildly  as  we  might. 
Tendering  our  sister's  honour  and  our  own. 

Marc.  That,  on  mine  honour,  here  I  do  protest 

Sat.  Awajy  and  talk  not ;  trouble  us  no  more. 

Tarn.  Nay,  nay,  sweet  emperor,  we  must  all  be 
friends: 
The  tribune  and  his  nephews  kneel  for  grace ;         480 
I  will  not  be  denied :  sweet  heart,  look  back. 

Sat  Marcus,  for  thy  sake  and  thy  brother's  here. 
And  at  my  lovely  Tamora's  entreate, 
I  do  remit  these  young  men's  heinous  &ults : 
Stand  up. 

Lavinia,  though  you  left  me  like  a  churl, 
I  found  a  friend,  and  sure  as  death  I  swore 
I  would  not  part  a  bachelor  from  the  priest 
Come,  if  the  emperor's  court  can  feast  two  brides, 
476.  Tendering,  having  regard  Cor. 
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ACTU 


Titus  Andronicus 


You  are  my  guest,  Lavinia,  and  your  friends.  490 

This  day  shall  be  a  love-day,  Tamora. 

Tit  To-morrow,  an  it  please  your  majesty 
To  hunt  the  panther  and  the  hart  with  me. 
With  horn  and  hound  we  '11  give  your  grace  bonjour. 

Sat  Be  it  so^  Titus,  and  gramercy  too. 

\Flourish.     Exeunt 


ACT  II. 

Scene  I.     Rome,    Before  tlie  palace. 

Enter  Aaron. 

Aar.  Now  climbeth  Tamora  Olympus'  top, 
Safe  out  of  fortune's  shot ;  and  sits  aloft, 
Secure  of  thunder's  crack  or  lightning  flash ; 
Advanced  above  pale  envy's  threatening  reach. 
As  when  the  golden  sun  salutes  the  mom. 
And,  having  gilt  the  ocean  with  his  beams. 
Gallops  the  zodiac  in  his  glistering  coach, 
And  overlooks  the  highest-peering  hills ; 
So  Tamora : 

Upon  her  wit  doth  earthly  honour  wait,  10 

And  virtue  stoops  and  trembles  at  her  frown. 
Then,  Aaron,  arm  thy  heart,  and  fit  thy  thoughts. 
To  mount  aloft  with  thy  imperial  mistress, 
And  mount  her  pitch,  whom  thou  in  triumph  long 
Hast  prisoner  held,  fetter'd  in  amorous  chains 
And  faster  bound  to  Aaron's  charming  eyes 

491.  love-day^  day  of  recon-  in    falconry    for    the    greatest 

dilation.  height  of  a  hawk's  flight. 

3.  Secure t  fearless.  16.    charming^    constraining 

14.  fitch ;  a  technical  term  as  by  a  charm. 

3" 


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Titus  Andronicus  acth 

Than  is  Prometheus  tied  to  Caucasus. 

Away  with  slavish  weeds  and  servile  thoughts ! 

I  will  be  bright,  and  shine  in  pearl  and  gold, 

To  wait  upon  this  new-made  empress.  ao 

To  wait,  said  I  ?  to  wanton  with  this  queen, 

This  goddess,  this  Semiramis,  this  nymph, 

This  siren,  that  will  charm  Rome's  Saturnine, 

And  see  his  shipwreck  and  his  commonweal's. 

Holloa !  what  storm  is  this  ? 

Enter  Demetrius  and  Chiron,  braving. 

Dem,  Chiron,  thy  years  want  wit,  thy  wit  wants 
edge, 
And  manners,  to  intrude  where  I  am  graced, 
And  may,  for  aught  thou  know'st,  affected  be. 

Chi.  Demetrius,  thou  dost  over-ween  in  all ; 
And  so  in  this,  to  bear  me  down  with  braves.  30 

'Tis  not  the  difference  of  a  year  or  two 
Makes  me  less  gracious  or  thee  more  fortunate : 
I  am  as  able  and  as  fit  as  thou 
To  serve,  and  to  deserve  my  mistress'  grace ; 
And  that  my  sword  upon  thee  shall  approve, 
And  plead  my  passions  for  Lavinia's  love. 

Aar.  \Aside\  Clubs,  clubs !  these  lovers  will  not 
keep  the  peace. 

Dem,  Why,  boy,  although  our  mother,  unadvised. 
Gave  you  a  dancing-rapier  by  your  side. 
Are  you  so  desperate  grown,  to  threat  your  friends  ?   40 
Go  to ;  have  your  lath  glued  within  your  sheath 
Till  you  know  better  how  to  handle  it. 

Chu  Meanwhile,  sir,  with  the  little  skill  I  have, 
Full  well  shalt  thou  perceive  how  much  I  dare. 

a8.  affected,  loved.  38.  unadvised,  injudiciously. 

35.  approve,  prove.  39.  dancing 'rapier,  a  sword 

37.  Cluhs,  clubs;  cf.  note  to     worn    only    for    ornament    in 

I  Hen.  VI,  i.  3.  84.  dancing. 

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Titus  Andronicus 


Dent.  Ay,  boy,  grow  ye  so  brave?   \They  draw. 

Aar.  [Coming  forward]    Why,  how  now,  lords  ! 
So  near  the  emperor's  palace  dare  you  draw. 
And  maintain  such  a  quarrel  openly  ? 
Full  well  I  wot  the  ground  of  all  this  grudge : 
I  would  not  for  a  million  of  gold 
The  cause  were  known  to  them  it  most  concerns ;    50 
Nor  would  your  noble  mother  for  much  more 
Be  so  dishonoured  in  the  court  of  Rome. 
For  shame,  put  up. 

I>em,  Not  I,  till  I  have  sheathed 

My  rapier  in  his  bosom  and  withal 
Thrust  these  reproachful  speeches  down  his  throat 
That  he  hath  breathed  in  my  dishonour  here. 

Chi.  For  that  I  am  prepared  and  full  resolved. 
Foul-spoken   coward,    that    thunder*st   with    thy 

tongue. 
And  with  thy  weapon  nothing  darest  perform ! 

Aar.  Away,  I  say !  60 

Now,  by  the  gods  that  warlike  Goths  adore, 
This  petty  brabble  will  undo  us  all 
Why,  lords,  and  think  you  not  how  dangerous 
It  is  to  jet  upon  a  prince's  right  ? 
What,  is  Lavinia  then  become  so  loose. 
Or  Bassianus  so  degenerate, 
That  for  her  love  such  quarrels  may  be  broach'd 
Without  controlment,  justice,  or  revenge  ? 
Young  lords,  beware  !  an  should  the  empress  know 
This  discord's  ground,  the  music  would  not  please.  70 

Chi.  I  care  not,  I,  knew  she  and  all  the  world : 
I  love  Lavinia  more  than  all  the  world. 

Dem.    Youngling,   learn  thou   to   make   some 
meaner  choice : 
I-avinia  is  thine  elder  brother's  hope. 

Aar,  Why,  are  ye  mad  ?  or  know  ye  not,  in  Rome 
64.  Jet,  insolently  trample  on. 


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How  furious  and  impatient  they  be, 
And  cannot  brook  competitors  in  love  ? 
I  tell  you,  lords,  you  do  but  plot  your  deaths 
By  this  device. 

Chi.  Aaron,  a  thousand  deaths 

Would  I  propose  to  achieve  her  whom  I  love.  80 

Aar^  To  achieve  her !  how  ? 

Detiu  Why  makest  thou  it  so  strange  ? 

She  is  a  woman,  therefore  may  be  woo'd ; 
She  is  a  woman,  therefore  may  be  won ; 
She  is  Lavinia,  therefore  must  be  loved. 
What,  man  J  more  water  glideth  by  the  mill 
Than  wots  the  miller  of;  and  easy  it  is 
Of  a  cut  loaf  to  steal  a  shive,  we  know : 
Though  Bassianus  be  the  emperor's  brother, 
Better  than  he  have  worn  Vulcan's  badge. 

Aar.  [Aside]  Ay,  and  as  good  as  Satuminus 
may.  90 

Dem.  Then  why  should  he  despair  that  knows 
to  court  it 
With  words,  fair  looks  and  liberality  ? 
What,  hast  not  thou  full  often  struck  a  doe. 
And  borne  her  cleanly  by  the  keeper's  nose  ? 

Aar,  Why,  then,  it  seems,  some  certain  snatch 
or  so 
Would  serve  your  tum& 

CAi.  Ay,  so  the  turn  were  served 

Dem.  Aaron,  thou  hast  hit  it 

Aar.  Would  you  had  hit  it  too  I 

Then  should  not  we  be  tired  with  this  ado. 
Why,  hark  ye,  hark  ye !  and  are  you  such  fools 
To  square  for  this  ?  would  it  offend  you,  then,         zoo 
That  both  should  speed  ? 

CM,  Faith,  not  me. 

87.  skive,  slice. 
89.    Vulcan's  badge,  as  the  dduded  husband  of  Venus. 

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Dem,  Nor  me,  so  I  were  one. 

Aar.  For  shame,  be  friends,  and  join  for  that 
you  jar : 
Tis  policy  and  stratagem  must  do 
That  you  affect ;  and  so  must  you  resolve, 
That  what  you  cannot  as  you  would  achieve. 
You  must  perforce  accomplish  as  you  may. 
Take  this  of  me :  Lucrece  was  not  more  chaste 
Than  this  Lavinia,  Bassianus'  love. 
A  speedier  course  than  lingering  languishment         no 
Must  we  pursue,  and  I  have  found  the  path. 
My  lords,  a  solemn  hunting  is  in  hand ; 
There  will  the  lovely  Roman  ladies  troop : 
The  forest  walks  are  wide  and  spacious ; 
And  many  unfrequented  plots  there  are 
Fitted  by  kind  for  rape  and  villany : 
Single  you  thither  then  this  dainty  doe, 
And  strike  her  home  by  force,  if  not  by  words : 
This  way,  or  not  at  all,  stand  you  in  hope. 
Come,  come,  our  empress,  with  her  sacred  wit         lao 
To  villany  and  vengeance  consecrate. 
Will  we  acquaint  with  all  that  we  intend ; 
And  she  shall  file  our  engines  with  advic^ 
That  will  not  suffer  you  to  square  yourselves, 
But  to  your  wishes'  height  advance  you  both. 
The  emperor's  court  is  like  the  house  of  Fame, 
The  palace  full  of  tongues,  of  eyes,  and  ears : 
The  woods  are  ruthless,  dreadful,  deaf,  and  dull ; 
There  speak,  and  strike,  brave  boys,  and  take  your 

turns; 
There  serve  your  lusts,  shadow'd  from  heaven's  eye,  130 
And  revel  in  Lavinia's  treasury. 

116.  by  kind,  by  nature.  line. 

lao.    sacred   (an   epithet    of         123.  file  our  engines,  polish 

royalty),    imperial  ;    the    irony  our    instruments,    sharpen   our 

be<x>ming  apparent  in  the  next  wits. 


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Chi,  Thy  counsel,  lad,  smells  of  no  cowardice. 

Dem,  Sit  fas  aut  nefas,  till  I  find  the  stream 
To  cool  this  heat,  a  charm  to  calm  these  fits. 
Per  Styga,  per  manes  vehor.  \Exeunt. 


Scene  IL     A  forest  near  Rome,     Horns  and 
cry  of  hounds  heard. 

Enter  Trrus  Andronicus,  with  Hunters,  etc, 
Marcus,  Lucius,  Quintus,  and  Martius. 

Tit,  The  hunt  is  up,  the  mom  is  bright  and 
grey, 
The  fields  are  fragrant  and  the  woods  are  green : 
Uncouple  here  and  let  us  make  a  bay 
And  wake  the  emperor  and  his  lovely  bride 
And  rouse  the  prince  and  ring  a  hunter's  peal, 
That  all  the  court  may  echo  with  the  noise. 
Sons,  let  it  be  your  charge,  as  it  is  ours. 
To  attend  the  emperor's  person  carefully : 
I  have  been  troubled  in  my  sleep  this  night. 
But  dawning  day  new  comfort  hath  inspired. 

A  cry  of  hounds^  and  horns  winded  in  a  peal.  Enter 
Saturninus,  Tamora,  Bassianus,  Lavinia, 
Demetrius,  Chiron,  and  Attendants. 

Many  good  morrows  to  your  majesty ; 
Madam,  to  you  as  many  and  as  good : 
I  promised  your  grace  a  hunter's  peal. 

Sat,  And  you  have  rung  it  lustily,  my  lord ; 
Somewhat  too  early  for  new-married  ladies. 

Bas,  Lavinia,  how  say  you  ? 

Lav,  I  say,  no ; 

I  have  been  broad  awake  two  hours  and  more. 
3.  bay^  of  hounds. 
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8c.  lu  Titus  Andronicus 

Sat  Come  on,  then ;  horse  and  chariots  let  us 
have, 
And  to  our  sport     [To  Tamora]  Madam,  now 

shall  ye  see 
Our  Roman  hunting. 

Marc,  I  have  dogs,  my  lord, 

Will  rouse  the  proudest  panther  in  the  chase, 
And  climb  the  highest  promontory  top. 

Tit  And  I  have  horse  will  follow  where  the 
game 
Makes  way,  and  run  like  swallows  o'er  the  plain. 
Dem,  Chiron,  we  hunt  not,  we,  with  horse  nor 
hound. 
But  hope  to  pluck  a  dainty  doe  to  ground. 

[Exeunt 


Scene  III.     A  lonely  part  of  the  forest 

Enter  Aaron,  with  a  bag  of  gold, 

Aar.  He  that  had  wit  would  think  that  I  had 
none. 
To  bury  so  much  gold  under  a  tree. 
And  never  after  to  inherit  it 
Let  him  that  thinks  of  me  so  abjectly 
Know  that  this  gold  must  coin  a  stratagem. 
Which,  cunningly  effected,  will  beget 
A  very  excellent  piece  of  villany : 
And  so  repose,  sweet  gold,  for  their  unrest 

[Bides  the  go  ki. 
That  have  their  alms  out  of  the  empress'  chest 

Enter  Tamora. 

Tarn,  My  lovely  Aaron,  wherefore  look'st  thou 
sad, 

3.  inkiritt  take  possession  of. 


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Titus  Andronicus  acta 

When  every  thing  doth  make  a  gleeful  boast? 

The  birds  chant  melody  on  every  bush, 

The  snake  lies  rolled  in  the  cheerful  sun, 

The  green  leaves  quiver  with  the  cooling  wind 

And  make  a  chequer'd  shadow  on  the  grouiul : 

Under  their  sweet  shade,  Aaron,  let  us  sit, 

And,  whilst  the  babbling  echo  mocks  the  hounds, 

Replying  shrilly  to  the  well-tuned  horns, 

As  if  a  double  hunt  were  heard  at  once, 

Let  us  sit  down  and  mark  their  yelping  noise ;  » 

And,  after  conflict  such  as  was  supposed 

The  wandering  prince  and  Dido  once  enjoy'd. 

When  with  a  happy  storm  they  were  surprked 

And  curtain'd  with  a  counsel-keeping  cave^ 

We  may,  each  wreathed  in  the  other's  arms, 

Our  pastimes  done,  possess  a  golden  slumber ; 

Whiles  hounds  and  horns  and  sweet  melodious 

birds 
Be  unto  us  as  is  a  nurse's  song 
Of  lullaby  to  bring  her  babe  asleep. 

Aar.    Madam,    though    Venus    govern    your 

desires,  y> 

Saturn  is  dominator  over  mine : 
What  signifies  my  deadly-standing  eye, 
My  silence  and  my  cloudy  melancholy. 
My  fleece  of  woolly  hair  that  now  uncurls 
Even  as  an  adder  when  she  doth  unroll 
To  do  some  fatal  execution  ? 
No,  madam,  these  are  no  venereal  signs : 
Vengeance  is  in  my  heart,  death  in  my  hand, 
Blood  and  revenge  are  hammering  in  my  head 

II.  make  a  gleeful  boast,  Mies         31.  5a/»rn;  the  planet  under 

in  glee.  whom  men  of  morose,   '  satur- 

20.  yelping,  so  Ff.     Qq  have  nine '  temperament  were  bom. 
•  yellowing,'  a  word  unrecorded 

in  any  sense  here  possible  ;  but         33.  deadly-standing,  of  death- 
retained  by  Camb.  edd.  portending  fixity. 

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Hark,  Tamora,  the  empress  of  my  soul,  40 

Which  never  hopes  more  heaven  than  rests  in 

thee, 
This  is  the  day  of  doom  for  Bassianos : 
His  Philomel  must  lose  her  tongue  to-day, 
Thy  sons  make  pillage  of  her  chastity 
And  wash  their  hands  in  Bassianus'  blood. 
Seest  thou  this  letter  ?  take  it  up,  I  pray  thee, 
And  give  the  king  this  &tal-plotted  scroll 
Now  question  me  no  more ;  we  are  espied ; 
Here  comes  a  parcel  of  our  hopeful  booty. 
Which  dreads  not  yet  their  lives'  destruction.  50 

Tarn.  Ah,  my  sweet  Moor,  sweeter  to  me  than 
life! 

Aar.    No    more,    great    empress;     Bassianus 
comes : 
Be  cross  with  him ;  and  I  'U  go  fetch  thy  sons 
To  back  thy  quarrels,  whatsoe'er  they  be.     [Exit. 

Enter  Bassianus  and  Lavinia. 

Bizs.  Who  have  we  here  ?  Rome's  royal  empress, 
Unfumish'd  of  her  well-beseeming  troop  ? 
Or  is  it  Dian,  habited  hke  her. 
Who  hath  abandoned  her  holy  groves 
To  see  the  general  hunting  in  this  forest  ? 

Tarn,  Saucy  controller  of  our  private  steps !         60 
Had  I  the  power  that  some  say  Dian  had. 
Thy  templet  should  be  pkuited  presently 
With  horns,  as  was  Actseon's ;  and  the  hounds 
Should  drive  upon  thy  new-transformed  limbs, 
Unmannerly  intruder  as  thou  art ! 

Lao.  Under  your  patience,  gentle  empress, 
Tis  thought  you  have  a  goodly  gift  in  homing ; 
And  to  be  doubted  that  your  Moor  and  you 

63.  Actaom  ;  transformed  by  Diana  into  a  hart. 
68.  daubtedt  siu^yected. 


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Titus  Andronicus  actu 

Are  singled  forth  to  try  experiments : 

Jove  shield  your  husband  from  his  hounds  to-day !  70 

Tis  pity  they  should  take  him  for  a  stag. 

Bos,  Believe  me,  queen,  your  swarth  Cimmerian 
Doth  make  your  honour  of  his  bod3r's  hue. 
Spotted,  detested,  and  abominable. 
Why  are  you  sequestered  from  all  your  train, 
Dismounted  from  your  snow-white  goodly  steed. 
And  wandered  hither  to  an  obscure  plot. 
Accompanied  but  with  a  barbarous  Moor, 
If  foul  desire  had  not  conducted  you  ? 

Lav,  And,  being  intercepted  in  your  sport,  &> 

Great  reason  that  my  noble  lord  be  rated 
For  sauciness.     I  pray  you,  let  us  hence. 
And  let  her  joy  her  raven-coloured  love ; 
This  valley  fits-the  purpose  passing  well 

Bos,  The  king  my  brother  shall  have  note  of 
this. 

Lav.  Ay,  for  these  slips  have  made  him  noted 
long: 
Good  king,  to  be  so  mightily  abused  ! 

Tam.  Why  have  I  patience  to  endure  all  this  ? 

Enter  Demetrius  and  Chiron. 

Dem,    How    now,    dear    sovereign,    and    our 
gracious  mother ! 
Why  doth  your  highness  look  so  pale  and  wan  ?       90 
Tarn,  Have  I  not  reason,  think  you,  to  look 
pale? 
These  two  have  'ticed  me  hither  to  this  place : 
A  barren  detested  vale,  you  see  it  is ; 
The  trees,  though  summer,  yet  forlorn  and  lean, 
Overcome  with  moss  and  baleful  mistletoe : 

69.    Are  singled  forth^  have     emendation  for  Qq  Ff  *  notice.* 
stolen  out  87.  abused^  deceived. 

85.  note^  intelligence.    Pope's         95.  Oercome^  covered. 

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sc.  Ill  Titus  Andronicus 

Here  never  shines  the  sun ;  here  nothing  breeds, 

Unless  the  nightly  owl  or  fatal  ravenf : 

And  when  they  show'd  me  this  abhorred  pit, 

They  told  me,  here,  at  dead  time  of  the  night, 

A  thousand  fiends,  a  thousand  hissing  snakes,         xoo 

Ten  thousand  swelling  toads,  as  many  urchins, 

Would  make  such  fearful  and  confused  cries 

As  any  mortal  body  hearing  it 

Should  straight  fall  mad,  or  else  die  suddenly. 

No  sooner  had  they  told  this  hellish  tale. 

But  straight  they  told  me  they  would  bind  me 

here 
Unto  the  body  of  a  dismal  yew. 
And  leave  me  to  this  miserable  death : 
And  then  they  caird  me  foul  adulteress, 
Lascivious  Goth,  and  all  the  bitterest  terms  no 

That  ever  ear  did  hear  to  such  effect : 
And,  had  you  not  by  wondrous  fortune  come. 
This  vengeance  on  me  had  they  executed. 
Revenge  it,  as  you  love  your  mother's  life, 
Or  be  ye  not  henceforth  calPd  my  children. 
Detn,  This  is  a  witness  that  I  am  thy  son. 

\Stabs  Bassianus, 
Chi.  And  this  for  me,  struck  home  to  show  my 

strength.         [Also  stabs  Bassianus^  who  dies. 
Lav.    Ay,    come,    Semiramis,    nay,    barbarous 

Tamora, 
For  no  name  fits  thy  nature  but  thy  own ! 

Tarn,  Give  me  thy  poniard;  you  shall  know, 

my  boys,  lao 

Your   mother's   hand   shall   right   your   mother's 

wrong. 
Dcm.  Stay,  madam ;  here  is  more  belongs  to  her ; 

loi.  urchins,  hedgehogs.  Like  It,  iii.  3.  9.     Probably,  as 

no.  Lascivious  Goth;  with  a     in  mote,  moth^  the  th  was  pro* 
quibble  on  goaU  as  in  y^i  You     nounced  /. 

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Titus  Andronicus  act  u 

First  thrash  the  com,  then  after  bum  the  straw : 

This  minion  stood  upon  her  chastity, 

Upon  her  nuptial  vow,  her  loyalty. 

And  with  that  painted  hope  braves  your  mightiness : 

And  shall  she  carry  this  unto  her  grave  ? 

Chi.  An  if  she  do,  I  would  I  were  an  eunuch. 
Drag  hence  her  husband  to  some  secret  hole, 
And  make  his  dead  tmnk  pillow  to  our  lust  130 

Tam.  But  when  ye  have  the  honey  ye  desire, 
Let  not  this  wasp  outhve,  us  both  to  sting. 

Chi,  I  warrant  you,  madam,  we  will  make  Uiat 
sure. 
Come,  mistress,  now  perforce  we  will  enjoy 
That  nice-preserved  honesty  of  yours. 

Lav,  OTamora!  thou  bear'st  a  woman's  face, — 
Tarn,  I  will  not  hear  her  speak ;  away  with  her ! 
Lav,  Sweet  lords,  entreat  her  hear  me  but  a 

word. 
Dem,  Listen,  fair  madam  :  let  it  be  your  glory 
To  see  her  tears ;  but  be  your  heart  to  them  140 

As  unrelenting  flint  to  drops  of  rain. 

Lav,  When  did  the  tiger's  young  ones  teach  the 
dam? 
O,  do  not  leam  her  wrath ;  she  taught  it  thee ; 
The   milk   thou  suck'dst  from   her  did  turn  to 

marble ; 
Even  at  thy  teat  thou  hadst  thy  tyranny. 
.  Yet  every  mother  breeds  not  sons  alike : 
\To  Chiron\  Do  thou  entreat  her  show  a  woman 
pity. 
Chi,  What,  wouldst  thou  have  me  prove  m3rself 

a  bastard  ? 
Lav,  'Tis  tme ;  the  raven  doth  not  hatch  a  lark : 
Yet  have  I  heard, — O,  could  I  find  it  now ! —        xs© 

Z26.  painted  koptt  specious  confidence. 
Z43.  leam^  teach. 

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sc.  Ill  Titus  Andronicus 

The  lion  moved  with  pity  did  endure 
To  have  his  princely  paws  pared  all  away : 
Some  say  that  ravens  foster  forlorn  children, 
The  whilst  their  own  birds  famish  in  their  nests : 
O,  be  to  me,  though  thy  hard  heart  say  no, 
Nothing  so  kind,  but  something  pitiful ! 

Tarn,  I  know  not  what  it  means ;  away  with  her ! 

Iavu.  O,  let  me  teach  thee !  for  my  father's  sake, 
That  gave  thee  life,  when  well  he  might  have  slain 

thee. 
Be  not  obdurate,  open  thy  deaf  ears.  x6o 

Tarn.  Hadst  thou  in  person  ne'er  offended  me. 
Even  for  his  sake  am  I  pitiless. 
Remember,  boys,  I  pour'd  forth  tears  in  vain. 
To  save  your  brother  from  the  sacrifice ; 
But  fierce  Andronicus  would  not  relent : 
Therefore,  away  with  her,  and  use  her  as  you  will. 
The  worse  to  her,  the  better  loved  of  me. 

Lav.  O  Tamora,  be  call'd  a  gentle  queen, 
And  with  thine  own  hands  kill  me  in  this  place ! 
For  'tis  not  life  that  I  have  begg'd  so  long ;  170 

Poor  I  was  slain  when  Bassianus  died. 

Tam,  What  begg'st  thou,  then?  fond  woman, 
let  me  go. 

Lav.  'Tis  present  death  I  beg;  and  one  thing 
more 
That  womanhood  denies  my  tongue  to  tell : 
O,  keep  me  from  their  worse  than  killing  lust. 
And  tumble  me  into  some  loathsome  pit. 
Where  never  man's  eye  may  behold  my  body : 
Do  this,  and  be  a  charitable  murderer. 

Tam.  So  should  I  rob  my  sweet  sons  of  their 
fee: 
No,  let  them  satisfy  their  lust  on  thee.  xSo 

Dent.  Away!  for  thou  hast  stay'd  us  here  too 
long. 

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Titus  Andronicus  act  h 

Lav,  No  grace  ?  no  womanhood  ?    Ah,  beastly 
creature ! 
The  blot  and  enemy  to  our  general  name ! 
Confusion  fell — 

Chi,  Nay,  then  111  stop  your  mouth.     Bring 
thou  her  husband : 
This  is  the  hole  where  Aaron  bid  us  hide  him. 

[Demetrius  throws  the  body  of  Bassianus 
into  the  pit ;    then  exeunt  Demetrius 
and  Chiron y  dragging  off  Lavinia. 
Tarn.   Farewell,  my  sons:  see  that  you  make 
her  sure. 
Ne'er  let  my  heart  know  merry  cheer  indeed, 
Till  all  the  Andronici  be  made  away. 
Now  will  I  hence  to  seek  my  lovely  Moor,  190 

And  let  my  spleenful  sons  this  trull  defiour. 

[Exit. 

Re-enter  Aaron,  with  Quintus  and  Martius. 

Aar,  Come  on,  my  lords,  the  better  foot  before : 
Straight  will  I  bring  you  to  the  loathsome  pit 
Where  I  espied  the  panther  fast  asleep. 

Quin.  My  sight  is  very  dull,  whatever  it  bodes. 
Mart,  And  mine,  I  promise  you;  were't  not 
for  shame. 
Well  could  I  leave  our  sport  to  sleep  awhile. 

[Falls  into  the  pit 
Quin.  What,  art  thou  fall'n  ?     What  subtle  hole 
is  this. 
Whose  mouth  is  cover'd  with  rude-growing  briers. 
Upon  whose  leaves  are  drops  of  new-shed  blood      aoo 
As  fresh  as  morning  dew  distill'd  on  flowers  ? 
A  very  fatal  place  it  seems  to  me. 
Speak,  brother,  hast  thou  hurt  thee  with  the  fall  ? 

Mart,  O  brother,  with  the  dismall'st  object  hurt 
That  ever  eye  with  sight  made  heart  lament ! 
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sc.  Ill  Titus  Andronicus 

Aar,  [Aside]  Now  will  I  fetch  the  king  to  find 
them  here, 
That  he  thereby  may  give  a  likely  guess 
How  these  were  they  that  made  away  his  brother. 

[Exit. 

Mart.  Why  dost  not  comfort  me,  and  help  me 
out 
From  this  unhallowed  and  blood-stained  hole  ?        aio 

Quin,  I  am  surprised  with  an  uncouth  fear : 
A  chilling  sweat  o'er-runs  my  trembling  joints : 
My  heart  suspects  more  than  mine  eye  can  see. 

Mart  To  prove  thou  hast  a  true-divining  heart, 
Aaron  and  thou  look  down  into  this  den, 
And  see  a  fearful  sight  of  blood  and  death. 

Quin.  Aaron  is  gone;  and  my  compassionate 
heart 
Will  not  permit  mine  eyes  once  to  behold 
The  thing  whereat  it  trembles  by  surmise : 
O,  tell  me  how  it  is ;  for  ne*er  till  now  aao 

Was  I  a  child  to  fear  I  know  not  what. 

Mart.  Lord  Bassianus  lies  embrewed  here, 
All  on  a  heap,  like  to  a  slaughtered  lamb, 
In  this  detested,  dark,  blood-drinking  pit. 

Quin.  If  it  be  dark,  how  dost  thou  know  'tis  he  ? 

Mart.  Upon  his  bloody  finger  he  doth  wear 
A  precious  ring,  that  lightens  all  the  hole. 
Which,  like  a  taper  in  some  monument. 
Doth  shine  upon  the  dead  man's  earthy  cheeks. 
And  shows  the  ragged  entrails  of  the  pit :  330 

So  pale  did  shine  the  moon  on  Pyramus 
When  he  by  night  lay  bathed  in  maiden  blood. 
O  brother,  help  me  with  thy  fainting  hand — 

211.    uncouth,    strange,    un-  227.    A  precious  ring,   that 

canny.  lightens  all  the  hole.     This  was 

222.  embrewed,  imbrued,  a  reputed  property  of  the  car- 
steeped  in  his  blood.  buncle. 


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Titus  Andronicus  actu 

If  fear  hath  made  thee  faint,  as  me  it  hath — 
Out  of  this  fell  devouring  receptacle, 
As  hateful  as  Cocytus'  misty  mouth. 

Quin.    Reach  me  thy  hand,  that  I  may  help 
thee  out ; 
Or,  wanting  strength  to  do  thee  so  much  good, 
I  may  be  plucked  into  the  swallowing  womb 
Of  this  deep  pit,  poor  Bassianus'  grave.  240 

I  have  no  strength  to  pluck  thee  to  the  brink. 
Mart.  Nor  I  no  strength  to  climb  without  thy 

help. 
Quin,  Thy  hand  once  more ;  I  will  not  loose 
again, 
Till  thou  art  here  aloft,  or  I  below : 
Thou  canst  not  come  to  me :  I  come  to  thee. 

[FaUs  in. 

Enter  Saturninus  with  Aaron. 

Sat.  Along  with  me  :  1 11  see  what  hole  is  here, 
And  what  he  is  that  now  is  leap'd  into  it 
Say,  who  art  thou  that  lately  didst  descend 
Into  this  gaping  hollow  of  ^e  earth  ? 

Mart.  The  unhappy  son  of  old  Andronicus  ;      250 
Brought  hither  in  a  most  unlucky  hour. 
To  find  thy  brother  Bassianus  dead. 

Sat.  My  brother  dead  I   I  know  thou  dost  but 
jest: 
He  and  his  lady  both  are  at  the  lodge 
Upon  the  north  side  of  this  pleasant  chase ; 
'Tis  not  an  hour  since  I  left  him  there. 

Mart.   We  know  not  where  you  left  him  all 
alive ; 
But,  out,  alas  !  here  have  we  found  him  dead. 

236.   Coeytus\  one  of  the  rivers  of  Hades. 


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sc.  HI  Titus  Andronicus 

Re-enter  Tamora,  with  Attendants ;  Titus 
Andronicus,  and  Lucius. 

Tarn.  Where  is  my  lord  the  king  ? 

Sat,  Here,  Tamora,  though  grieved  with  killing 
grief.  a6o 

Tarn,  Where  is  thy  brother  Bassianus  ? 

Sat,  Now  to  the  bottom  dost  thou  search  my 
wound : 
Poor  Bassianus  here  lies  murdered. 

Tam,  Then  all  too  late  I  bring  this  fatal  writ, 
The  complot  of  this  timeless  tragedy ; 
And  wonder  greatly  that  man's  fece  can  fold 
In  pleasing  smiles  such  murderous  tyranny. 

\She  giveth  Saturnine  a  letter. 

Sat   [Reads]    *An   if  we   miss   to  meet   him 
handsomely — 
Sweet  huntsman,  Bassianus  'tis  we  mean — 
Do  thou  so  much  as  dig  the  grave  for  him :  ayo 

Thou  know'st  our  meaning.     Look  for  thy  reward 
Among  the  nettles  at  the  elder-tree 
Which  overshades  the  mouth  of  that  same  pit 
Where  we  decreed  to  bury  Bassianus. 
Do  this,  and  purchase  us  thy  lasting  friends.' 
O  Tamora !  was  ever  heard  the  like  ? 
This  is  the  pit,  and  this  the  elder-faree. 
Look,  sirs,  if  you  can  find  the  huntsman  out 
That  should  have  murder'd  Bassianus  here. 

Aar,  My  gracious  lord,  here  is  the  bag  of  gold.  aSo 

Sat.  [To  Titus]   Two  of  thy  whelps,  fell  curs 
of  bloody  kind. 
Have  here  bereft  my  brother  of  his  life. 
Sirs,  drag  them  from  the  pit  unto  the  prison : 
There  let  them  bide  until  we  have  devised 
Some  never-heard-of  torturing  pain  for  them. 

265.  timeless,  untimely.  275.  purchase  us,  win  us  as. 

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Titus  Andronicus  acth 

Tarn.  What,  are  they  in  this  pit  ?     O  wondrous 
thing ! 
How  easily  murder  is  discovered  I 

Tit  High  emperor,  upon  my  feeble  knee 
I  b^  this  boon,  with  tears  not  Hghtly  shed. 
That  this  fell  fault  of  my  accursed  sons,  390 

Accursed,  if  the  fault  be  proved  in  them, — 

Sat,  If  it  be  proved !  you  see  it  is  apparent 
Who  found  this  letter  ?     Tamora,  was  it  you  ? 

Tarn.  Andronicus  himself  did  take  it  up. 

Tit  I  did,  my  lord :  yet  let  me  be  their  bail ; 
For,  by  my  father's  revarend  tomb,  I  vow 
They  shall  be  ready  at  your  highness'  will 
To  answer  their  suspicion  with  their  lives. 

Sat  Thou  shalt  not  bail  them :  see  thou  follow 
me. 
Some  bring  the  murder'd  body,  some  the  murderers :  300 
Let  them  not  speak  a  word  ;  the  guilt  is  plain ; 
For,  by  my  soul,  were  there  worse  end  than  death, 
That  end  upon  them  should  be  executed. 

Tarn,  Andronicus,  I  will  entreat  the  king  : 
Fear  not  thy  sons ;  they  shall  do  well  enough. 

Tit    Come,   Lucius,  come;    stay  not  to  talk 
with  them.  \Exeunt 


Scene  IV.     Another  part  of  the  forest. 

Enter  Demetrius  and  Chiron  with  Lavinia, 
ravished ;  her  hands  cut  off^  and  her  tongue 
cut  out, 

Dem.   So,  now  go  tell,  an  if  thy  tongue  can 
speak, 
Who  'twas  that  cut  thy  tongue  and  ravish'd  thee. 
305.  Fear  not,  fear  not  for. 
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sc.  IV  Titus  Andronicus 

Chu  Write  down  thy  mind,  bewray  thy  mean- 
ing so, 
An  if  thy  stumps  will  let  thee  play  the  scribe. 

Dem,  See,  how  with  signs  and  tokens  she  can 
scrowl. 

Chi.  Go  home,  call  for  sweet  water,  wash  thy 
hands. 

Dent.  She  hath  no  tongue  to  call,  nor  hands 
to  wash ; 
And  so  let 's  leave  her  to  her  silent  walks. 

Chi.    An  'twere  my  case,   I  should   go  hang 
myself. 

Dem.    If  thou  hadst  hands  to  help  thee  knit 
the  cord.         \Exeunt  Demetrius  and  Chiron.   lo 

Enter  Marcus. 

Mar.  Who  is  this?  my  niece,  that  flies  away 

so  fast ! 
Cousin,  a  word ;  where  is  your  husband  ? 
If  I  do  dream,  would  all  my  wealth  would  wake 

me! 
If  I  do  wake,  some  planet  strike  me  down. 
That  I  may  slumber  in  eternal  sleep ! 
Speak,  gentle  niece,  what  stern  ungentle  hands 
Have  lopp'd  and  hew'd  and  made  thy  body  bare 
Of  her  two  branches,  those  sweet  ornaments. 
Whose  circling   shadows   kings   have   sought   to 

sleep  in, 
And  might  not  gain  so  great  a  happiness  so 

As  have  thy  love  ?     Why  dost  not  speak  to  me  ? 
Alas,  a  crimson  river  of  warm  blood. 
Like  to  a  bubbling  fountain  stirr'd  with  wind. 
Doth  rise  and  fall  between  thy  rosed  lips, 

5.    scrowl;  (doubtful  word  :      'scrowle';  Ff  '  scowl(e). ' 
probably)  scrawl,  write  vaguely 
and  wildly  in  the  air.     Qq  read         6.  sweet,  perfumed. 

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Titus  Andronicus  actu 

Coming  and  going  with  thy  honey  breath. 

But,  sure,  some  Tereus  hath  deflowered  thee, 

And,  lest  thou  shouldst  detect  him,  cut  thy  tongue. 

Ah,  now  thou  turn'st  away  thy  fece  for  shame ! 

And,  notwithstanding  all  this  loss  of  blood. 

As  from  a  conduit  with  three  issuing  spouts,  30 

Yet  do  thy  cheeks  look  red  as  Titan's  face 

Blushing  to  be  encountered  with  a  cloud. 

Shall  I  speak  for  thee  ?  shall  I  say  'tis  so  ? 

O,  that  I  knew  thy  heart ;  and  knew  the  beast, 

That  I  might  rail  at  him,  to  ease  my  mind ! 

Sorrow  concealed,  like  an  oven  stopped. 

Doth  bum  the  heart  to  cinders  where  it  is. 

Fair  Philomela,  she  but  lost  her  tongue. 

And  in  a  tedious  sampler  sew'd  her  mind : 

But,  lovely  niece,  that  mean  is  cut  from  thee ;  40 

A  craftier  Tereus,  cousin,  hast  thou  met. 

And  he  hath  cut  those  pretty  fingers  off, 

That  could  have  better  sew'd  than  Philomel. 

O,  had  the  monster  seen  those  lily  hands 

Tremble,  like  aspen-leaves,  upon  a  lute, 

And  make  the  silken  strings  delight  to  kiss  them. 

He  would  not  then  have  touched  them  for  his  Hfe ! 

Or,  had  he  heard  the  heavenly  harmony 

Which  that  sweet  tongue  hath  made. 

He  would  have  dropp'd  his  knife,  and  fell  asleep      50 

As  Cerberus  at  the  Thracian  poet's  feet. 

Come,  let  us  go,  and  make  thy  father  blind  ; 

For  such  a  sight  will  blind  a  father's  eye : 

One  hour's  storm  will  drown  the  fragrant  meads ; 

What  will  whole  months  of  tears  thy  father's  eyes  ? 

26.  Tereus,  the  husband  of  her  tongue,  made  her  sister 
Procne,  violated  her  sister  Procne  aware  of  her  husband's 
Philomela,  and  then  cut  her  crime  by  working  a  representa- 
tongue  out.  tion  of  it  in  a  sampler. 

27.  detect,  betray.  51.     the    Thracian  poet, 
38,  39.  Philomela,  after  losing     Orpheus. 


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ACT  III  Titus  Andronicus 

Do  not  draw  back,  for  we  will  mourn  with  thee : 
O,  could  our  mourning  ease  thy  misery  ! 

[Exeunt. 


ACT   III. 

Scene  I.     J^ome,     A  street 

Enter  Judges,  Senators  and  Tribunes,  with 
Martius  and  Quintus,  bounds  passing  on  to 
the  place  of  execution ;  Titus  going  before, 
pleading. 

Tit  Hear  me,  grave  fathers!    noble  tribunes, 

stay! 

For  pity  of  mine  age,  whose  youth  was  spent 

In  dangerous  wars,  whilst  you  securely  slept ; 

For  all  my  blood  in  Rome's  great  quarrel  shed ; 

For  all  the  frosty  nights  that  I  have  watch'd ; 

And  for  these  bitter  tears,  which  now  you  see 

Filling  the  aged  wrinkles  in  my  cheeks ; 

Be  pitiful  to  my  condemned  sons. 

Whose  souls  are  not  corrupted  as  'tis  thought. 

For  two  and  twenty  sons  I  never  wept,  xo 

Because  they  died  in  honour's  lofty  bed. 

[Lieth  down  ;  the  Judges^  etc.  pass  by 

him^  and  Exeunt. 

For  these,  tribunes,  in  the  dust  I  write 

My  heart's  deep  languor  and  my  soul's  sad  tears : 

Let  my  tears  stanch  the  earth's  dry  appetite ; 

My  sons'  sweet  blood  will  make  it  shame  and  blush. 

O  earth,  I  will  befriend  thee  more  with  rain. 

That  shall  distil  from  these  two  ancient  urns, 

7.  aged  wrinkles t  wrinkles  of         17.  urns,  Hanmer's  emenda- 
age.  tion  for  Qq  Ff  '  ruins.' 


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Titus  Andronicus  act  m 

Than  youthful  April  shall  with  all  his  showers : 

In  summer's  drought  I  '11  drop  upon  thee  still ; 

In  winter  with  warm  tears  I  '11  melt  the  snow,  so 

And  keep  eternal  spring-time  on  thy  face, 

So  thou  refuse  to  drink  my  dear  sons'  blood. 

Enter  Lucius,  with  his  sword  drawn, 

O  reverend  tribunes !     O  gentle,  aged  men ! 
Unbind  my  sons,  reverse  the  doom  of  death ; 
And  let  me  say,  that  never  wept  before, 
My  tears  are  now  prevailing  orators. 

Luc.  O  noble  father,  you  lament  in  vain : 
The  tribunes  hear  you  not ;  no  man  is  by ; 
And  you  recount  your  sorrows  to  a  stone. 

Tit.  Ah,  Lucius,  for  thy  brothers  let  me  plead.     30 
Grave  tribunes,  once  more  I  entreat  of  you, — 

Luc,   My  gracious  lord,  no  tribune  hears  you 
speak. 

Tit,  Why,  'tis  no  matter,  man  :  if  they  did  hear. 
They  would  not  mark  me,  or  if  they  did  mark. 
They  would  not  pity  me ;  yet  plead  I  must, 

And  bootless  unto  them 

Therefore  I  tell  my  sorrows  to  the  stones ; 
Who,  though  they  cannot  answer  my  distress, 
Yet  in  some  sort  they  are  better  than  the  tribunes, 
For  that  they  will  not  intercept  my  tale :  4c 

When  I  do  weep,  they  humbly  at  my  feet 
Receive  my  tears  and  seem  to  weep  with  me ; 
And,  were  they  but  attired  in  grave  weeds, 
Rome  could  afford  no  tribune  like  to  these. 
A  stone  is  soft  as  wax, — tribunes  more  hard  than 
stones ; 

36.  And  bootless  unto  them.  I     complain,'.       Camb.    edd- 

Qi  marks  a  period  after  these  mark  the  loss  of  some  words, 

words,    and     is     followed     by  This,     though    not    absolutely 

Delius.      Dyce  supplies   '  since  necessary,  is  most  probable. 


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sc.  I  Titus  Andronicus 

A  stone  is  silent,  and  offendeth  not, 

And  tribunes  with  their  tongues  doom  men  to 

death  [Ibises, 

But   wherefore   stand'st  thou   with    thy   weapon 

drawn? 
Zuc,    To  rescue  my  two  brothers  from  their 

death: 
For  which  attempt  the  judges  have  pronounced        so 
My  everlasting  doom  of  banishment 

TYt  O  happy  man !  they  have  befriended  thee. 
Why,  foolish  Lucius,  dost  thou  not  perceive 
That  Rome  is  but  a  wilderness  of  tigers  ? 
Tigers  must  prey,  and  Rome  affords  no  prey 
But  me  and  mine :  how  happy  art  thou,  then, 
From  these  devourers  to  be  banished ! 
But  who  comes  with  our  brother  Marcus  here  ? 

Enfer  Marcus  and  Lavinia. 

Marc.  Titus,  prepare  thy  aged  eyes  to  weep ; 
Or,  if  not  so,  thy  noble  heart  to  break :  60 

I  bring  consuming  sorrow  to  thine  age. 

Tit  Will  it  consume  me  ?  let  me  see  it,  then. 

Afarc.  This  was  thy  daughter. 

Tit  Why,  Marcus,  so  she  is. 

Zuc,  Ay  me,  this  object  kills  me ! 

Tit.    Faint-hearted  boy,  arise,  and  look  upon 
her. 
Speak,  Lavinia,  what  accursed  hand 
Hath  made  thee  handless  in  thy  father's  sight  ? 
What  fool  hath  added  water  to  the  sea. 
Or  brought  a  faggot  to  bright-burning  Troy  ? 
My  grief  was  at  the  height  before  thou  camest,         70 
And  now,  like  Nilus,  it  disdaineth  bounds. 
Give  me  a  sword,  I  *11  chop  off  my  hands  too ; 
For  they  have  fought  for  Rome,  and  all  in  vain ; 
And  they  have  nursed  this  woe,  in  feeding  life ; 

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Titus  Andronicus  actiu 

In  bootless  prayer  have  they  been  held  up. 

And  they  have  served  me  to  e£fectless  use  : 

Now  all  the  service  I  require  of  them 

Is  that  the  one  will  help  to  cut  the  other. 

Tis  well,  Lavinia,  that  thou  hast  no  hands ; 

For  hands,  to  do  Rome  service,  are  but  vain.  so 

Luc,  Speak,  gentle  sister,  who  hath  martyr'd  thee  ? 

Marc.  O,  that  delightful  engine  of  her  thoughts, 
That  blabb'd  them  with  such  pleasing  eloquence. 
Is  torn  from  forth  that  pretty  hollow  cage. 
Where,  like  a  sweet  melodious  bird,  it  sung 
Sweet  varied  notes,  enchanting  every  ear ! 

Luc,  O,  say  thou  for  her,  who  hath  done  this 
deed? 

Marc,    O,  thus  I  found  her,  straying  in  the 
park. 
Seeking  to  hide  herself,  as  doth  the  deer 
That  hath  received  some  unrecuring  wound.  90 

Tit,  It  was  my  deer ;  and  he  that  wounded  her 
Hath  hurt  me  more  than  had  he  kill'd  me  dead : 
For  now  I  stand  as  one  upon  a  rock 
Environed  with  a  wilderness  of  sea. 
Who  marks  the  waxing  tide  grow  wave  by  wave. 
Expecting  ever  when  some  envious  surge 
Will  in  his  brinish  bowels  swallow  him. 
This  way  to  death  my  wretched  sons  are  gone ; 
Here  stands  my  other  son,  a  banish'd  man. 
And  here  my  brother,  weeping  at  my  woes :  xm 

But  that  which  gives  my  soul  the  greatest  spurn, 
Is  dear  Lavinia,  dearer  than  my  soul. 
Had  I  but  seen  thy  picture  in  this  plight. 
It  would  have  madded  me :  what  shall  I  do 
Now  I  behold  thy  lively  body  so  ? 
Thou  hast  no  hands,  to  wipe  away  thy  tears ; 
Nor  tongue,  to  tell  me  who  hath  martyr'd  thee : 
90.  unrecuring,  incurable. 
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SC.  I 


Titus  Androhicus 


Thy  husband  he  is  dead ;  and  for  his  death 
Thy  brothers  are  condemned,  and  dead  by  this. 
Look,  Marcus  !  ah,  son  Lucius,  look  on  her !  no 

When  I  did  name  her  brothers,  then  fresh  tears 
Stood  on  her  cheeks,  as  doth  the  honey-dew 
Upon  a  gathered  Hly  almost  withered. 

Marc.  Perchance  she  weeps  because  they  kill'd 
her  husband ; 
Perchance  because  she  knows  them  innocent. 

Tit,  If  they  did  kill  thy  husband,  then  be  joyful. 
Because  the  law  hath  ta'en  revenge  on  them. 
No,  no,  they  would  not  do  so  foul  a  deed ; 
Witness  the  sorrow  that  their  sister  makes. 
Gentle  Lavinia,  let  me  kiss  thy  lips ;  x2o 

Or  make  some  sign  how  I  may  do  thee  ease : 
Shall  thy  good  uncle,  and  thy  brother  Lucius, 
And  thou,  and  I,  sit  round  about  some  fountain, 
Looking  all  downwards,  to  behold  our  cheeks 
How  they  are  stain'd,  as  meadows,  yet  not  dry, 
With  miry  slime  left  on  them  by  a  flood  ? 
And  in  the  fountain  shall  we  gaze  so  long 
Till  the  fresh  taste  be  taken  from  that  clearness. 
And  made  a  brine-pit  with  our  bitter  tears  ? 
Or  shall  we  cut  away  our  hands,  like  thine  ?  130 

Or  shall  we  bite  our  tongues,  and  in  dumb  shows 
Pass  the  remainder  of  our  hateful  days  ? 
What  shall  we  do  ?  let  us,  that  have  our  tongues, 
Plot  some  device  of  further  misery. 
To  make  us  wonder'd  at  in  time  to  come. 

Luc,  Sweet   father,    cease   your  tears;  for,   at 
your  grief. 
See  how  my  wretched  sister  sobs  and  weeps. 

Marc,  Patience,  dear  niece.     Good  Titus,  dry 
thine  eyes. 

Tit,  Ah,  Marcus,  Marcus !  brother,  well  I  wot 
Thy  napkin  cannot  drink  a  tear  of  mine,  140 

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For  thou,  poor  man,  hast  drown'd  it  with  thine  own. 

Luc,  Ah,  my  Lavinia,  I  will  wipe  thy  cheeks. 

Tit,  Mark,   Marcus,  mark!   I  understand   her 
signs: 
Had  she  a  tongue  to  speak,  now  would  she  say 
That  to  her  brother  which  I  said  to  thee : 
His  napkin,  with  his  true  tears  all  bewet, 
Can  do  no  service  on  her  sorrowful  cheeks. 
O,  what  a  sympathy  of  woe  is  this, 
As  far  from  help  as  Limbo  is  from  bliss ! 

Enter  Aaron. 

Aar,  Titus  Andronicus,  my  lord  the  emperor      150 
Sends  thee  this  word, — that,  if  thou  love  thy  sons, 
Let  Marcus,  Lucius,  or  thyself,  old  Titus, 
Or  any  one  of  you,  chop  off  your  hand. 
And  send  it  to  the  king :  he  for  the  same 
Will  send  thee  hither  both  thy  sons  alive ; 
And  that  shall  be  the  ransom  for  their  fault. 

Tit,  O  gracious  emperor  !  O  gentle  Aaron  ! 
Did  ever  raven  sing  so  like  a  lark, 
That  gives  sweet  tidings  of  the  sun's  uprise  ? 
With  all  my  heart,  I  '11  send  the  emperor  160 

My  hand : 
Good  Aaron,  wilt  thou  help  to  chop  it  off? 

Luc.  Stay,  father !  for  that  noble  hand  of  thine. 
That  hath  thrown  down  so  many  enemies, 
Shall  not  be  sent :  my  hand  will  serve  the  turn : 
My  youth  can  better  spare  my  blood  than  you ; 
And  therefore  mine  shall  save  my  brothers'  lives. 

Marc,  Which  of  your  hands  hath  not  defended 
Rome, 
And  rear'd  aloft  the  bloody  battle-axe, 

149.  Z.£i»3o,  the  region  border-  (hence  its  name  Lin^us  Pat- 
ing  on  hell,  to  which  mediaeval  rum);  here  used  loosely  for  hell 
belief  assigned   the   patriarchs      itself. 


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8C.  I 


Titus  Andronicus 


Writing  destruction  on  the  enemy's  castle  ?  170 

O,  none  of  both  but  are  of  high  desert : 

My  hand  hath  been  but  idle ;  let  it  serve 

To  ransom  my  two  nephews  from  their  death ; 

Then  have  I  kept  it  td  a  worthy  end. 

Aar.  Nay,  come,  agree  whose  hand  shall  go 
along, 
For  fear  they  die  before  their  pardon  come. 

Marc.  My  hand  shall  go. 

Luc,  By  heaven,  it  shall  not  go ! 

77/.  Sirs,  strive  no  more :  such  withered  herbs 
as  these 
Are  meet  for  plucking  up,  and  therefore  mine, 

Luc,  Sweet  father,  if  I  shall  be  thought   thy 

son,  x8o 

Let  me  redeem  my  brothers  both  from  death. 
Marc,  And,  for  our  father's  sake  and  mother's 
care. 
Now  let  me  show  a  brother's  love  to  thee. 

Tit,  Agree  between  you ;  I  will  spare  my  hand. 
Luc,  Then  I  '11  go  fetch  an  axe. 
Marc  But  I  will  use  the  axe. 

\Exeunt  Lucius  and  Marcus. 
Tit  Come   hither,   Aaron;  I'll   deceive  them 
both: 
Lend  me  thy  hand,  and  I  will  give  thee  mine. 
Aar,  [Aside]  If  that  be  call'd  deceit,  I  will  be 
honest. 
And  never,  whilst  I  live,  deceive  men  so :  190 

But  I  '11  deceive  you  in  another  sort, 
And  that  you  11  say,  ere  half  an  hour  pass. 

[Cuts  off  Titus's  hand. 

170.    castle.     The  word  has  not    very  violent.      Titus    has 

been  suspected  :  Theobald  pro-  •  defended  Rome  *  by  breaking 

posed    '  casque,'  and    Walker  down  the  Gothic  strongholds, 
'crest'     But  the  expression  is 

VOL.  VII  337  Z 


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Titus  Andronicus  actih 

Re-enter  Lucius  and  Marcus. 

Tit,  Now  stay  your  strife:  what   shall   be  is 
dispatch'd. 
Good  Aaron,  give  his  majesty  my  hand : 
Tell  him  it  was  a  hand  that  warded  him 
From  thousand  dangers ;  bid  him  bury  it ; 
More  hath  it  merited ;  that  let  it  have. 
As  for  my  sons,  say  I  account  of  them 
As  jewels  purchased  at  an  easy  price ; 
And  yet  dear  too,  because  I  bougtit  mine  own.        mo 

Aar,  I  go,  Andronicus  :  and  for  thy  hand 
Look  by  and  by  to  have  thy  sons  with  thee. 
[Aside]    Their  heads,  I  mean.    O,  how  this  villany 
Doth  fet  me  with  the  very  thoughts  of  it ! 
Let  fools  do  good,  and  fair  men  call  for  grace, 
Aaron  will  have  his  soul  black  like  his  face.  [Exif. 

Tit.  O,  here  I  lift  this  one  hand  up  to  heaven. 
And  bow  this  feeble  ruin  to  the  earth  : 
If  any  power  pities  wretched  tears, 
To  that  I  call !  [To  Lav,]  What,  wilt  thou  kneel 

with  me  ?  no 

Do,  then,  dear  heart;  for  heaven  shall  hear  our 

prayers ; 
Or  with  our  sighs  we  11  breathe  the  welkin  dim. 
And  stain  the  sun  with  fog,  as  sometime  clouds 
When  they  do  hug  him  in  their  melting  bosoms. 

Marc.  O  brother,  speak  with  possibilities. 
And  do  not  break  into  these  deep  extremes. 

Tit.  Is  not  my  sorrow  deep,  having  no  bottom  ? 
Then  be  my  passions  bottomless  with  them. 

Marc.  But  yet  let  reason  govern  thy  lament. 

Tit.  If  there  were  reason  for  these  miseries,         sm 
Then  into  limits  could  I  bind  my  woes : 
When   heaven   doth   weep,   doth   not  the   earth 
overflow  ? 


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8c.  I  Titus  Andronicus 

If  the  winds  rage,  doth  not  the  sea  wax  mad, 
Threatening  the  welkin  with  his  big-swoln  face  ? 
And  wilt  thou  have  a  reason  for  this  coil  ? 
I  am  the  sea ;  hark,  how  her  sighs  do  blow ! 
She  is  the  weeping  welkin,  I  the  earth : 
Then  must  my  sea  be  moved  with  her  sighs ; 
Then  must  my  earth  with  her  continual  tears 
Become  a  deluge,  overflowed  and  drown'd ;  83© 

For  why  my  bowels  cannot  hide  her  woes. 
But  Hke  a  drunkard  must  I  vomit  them. 
Then  give  me  leave,  for  losers  will  have  leave 
To  ease  their  stomachs  with  their  bitter  tongues. 

Enter  a  Messenger,  with  two  heads  and 
a  hand. 

Mess,  Worthy  Andronicus,  ill  art  thou  repaid 
For  that  good  hand  thou  sent'st  the  emperor. 
Here  are  the  heads  of  thy  two  noble  sons ; 
And  here 's  thy  hand,  in  scorn  to  thee  sent  back ; 
Thy  griefs  their  sports,  thy  resolution  mock'd ; 
That  woe  is  me  to  think  upon  thy  woes  340 

More  than  remembrance  of  my  father's  death. 

[Exit, 
Marc,  Now  let  hot  iEtna  cool  in  Sicily, 
And  be  my  heart  an  ever-burning  hell ! 
These  miseries  are  more  than  may  be  borne. 
To  weep  with  them  that  weep  doth  ease  some 

deal; 
But  sorrow  flouted  at  is  double  death. 

Luc.  Ah,  that  this  sight  should  make  so  deep 
a  wound, 
And  yet  detested  life  not  shrink  thereat ! 
That  ever  death  should  let  life  bear  his  name. 
Where  life  hath  no  more  interest  but  to  breathe !    950 

[Lavinia  kisses  Titus, 
225.  coil,  uproar.  aa6.  blow ;  so  Ff,^.     *  Flow,*  Qq  Fj. 

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Titus  Andronicus  actiu 

Marc.  Alas,    poor    heart,    that    kiss    is   com- 
fortless 
As  frozen  water  to  a  starved  snake. 

Tit  When  will  this  fearful  slumber  have  an 

end? 
Marc,  Now,  fiarewell,  flattery :  die,  Andronicus ; 
Thou    dost   not    slumber:    see,   thy   two  sons' 

heads, 
Thy  warlike  hand,  thy  mangled  daughter  here ; 
Thy  other  banish'd  son,  with  this  dear  sight 
Struck  pale  and  bloodless ;  and  thy  brother,  I, 
Even  like  a  stony  image,  cold  and  numb. 
Ah,  now  no  more  will  I  control  thy  griefs :  a6o 

Rend  oflf  thy  silver  hair,  thy  other  hand 
Gnawing   with  thy  teeth;    and   be  this   dismal 

sight 
The  closing  up  of  our  most  wretched  eyes : 
Now  is  a  time  to  storm ;  why  art  thou  still  ? 
77/.  Ha,  ha,  ha ! 
Marc.  Why  dost  thou  laugh?  it  fits  not  with 

this  hour. 
Tit.  Why,  I  have  not  another  tear  to  shed : 
Besides,  this  sorrow  is  an  enemy. 
And  would  usurp  upon  my  watery  eyes. 
And  make  them  blind  with  tributary  tears :  970 

Then  which  way  shall  I  find  Revenge's  cave  ? 
For  these  two  heads  do  seem  to  speak  to  me. 
And  threat  me  I  shall  never  come  to  bliss 
Till  all  these  mischiefs  be  returned  again 
Even  in  their  throats  that  have  committed  them. 
Come,  let  me  see  what  task  I  have  to  do. 
You  heavy  people,  circle  me  about. 
That  I  may  turn  me  to  each  one  of  you, 
And  swear  unto  my  soul  to  right  your  wrongs. 
The  vow  is  made.     Come,  brother,  take  a  head ;    980 
And  in  this  hand  the  other  will  I  bear. 

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sc.  I  Titus  Andronicus 

Lavinia,  thou  shalt  be  employed  in  these  things : 
Bear  thou  my  hand,  sweet  wench,  between  thy 

teeth. 
As  for  thee,  boy,  go  get  thee  from  my  sight ; 
Thou  art  an  exile,  and  thou  must  not  stay : 
Hie  to  the  Goths,  and  raise  an  army  there : 
And,  if  you  love  me,  as  I  think  you  do. 
Let 's  kiss  and  part,  for  we  have  much  to  do. 

[Exeunt  Titus,  Marcus,  and  Lavinia, 
Luc.  Farewell,  Andronicus,  my  noble  father, 
The  wofulFst  man  that  ever  lived  in  Rome :  390 

Farewell,  proud  Rome ;  till  Lucius  come  again, 
He  leaves  his  pledges  dearer  than  his  life : 
Farewell,  Lavinia,  my  noble  sister ; 
O,  would  thou  wert  as  thou  tofore  hast  been ! 
But  now  nor  Lucius  nor  Lavinia  lives 
But  in  oblivion  and  hateful  griefs. 
If  Lucius  live,  he  will  requite  your  wrongs ; 
And  make  proud  Saturnine  and  his  empress 
Beg  at  the  gates,  like  Tarquin  and  his  queen. 
Now  will  I  to  the  Goths,  and  raise  a  power,  300 

To  be  revenged  on  Rome  and  Saturnine.      [Exit 

282,  283 ;  so  Ff.  The  Qq  read  been    ludicrous    in  representa- 

•  imployd  in  these  Armes. '    The  tion,  wrote  *  Armes '  abore '  teeth,  * 

Camb.  edd.  conjecture  that  the  as  a  substitute  for  the  latter ; 

original  MS.  may  have  run  : —  *  armes '    being    then    by    the 

And  thou,  LaWnia,  shalt  be  imployd,  printer  understood  as  a  fragment 

Bcare  thou  my  hand,  sweet  wench,  of  the  previous  line,  and  con- 

betweene  thy  teeth.  jecturally  pieced  out. 

'  The  author,  or  some  other  cor-  292.  leaves  ;  Rowe's  emenda- 

rector,  to  soften  what  must  have  tion  for  Qq  Ff  '  loves.' 


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Scene  II.     A  roam  in  Titus^s  house,     A 
banquet  set  out. 

Enter  Titus,  Marcus,  Lavinia,  and  young 
Lucius,  a  Boy. 

Tit  So,  so ;  now  sit :  and  look  you  eat  no  more 
Than  will  preserve  just  so  much  strength  in  us 
As  will  revenge  these  bitter  woes  of  ours. 
Marcus,  unknit  that  sorrow-wreathen  knot : 
Thy  niece  and  I,  poor  creatures,  want  our  hands, 
And  cannot  passionate  our  tenfold  grief 
With  folded  arms.     This  poor  right  hand  of  mine 
Is  left  to  tyrannize  upon  my  breast ; 
Who,  when  my  heart,  all  mad  with  misery. 
Beats  in  this  hollow  prison  of  my  flesh,  lo 

Then  thus  I  thump  it  down. 
[To  Lavinia!]  Thou  map  of  woe,  that  thus  dost 

talk  in  signs ! 
When    thy    poor    heart    beats    with    outrageous 

beating. 
Thou  canst  not  strike  it  thus  to  make  it  still. 
Wound  it  with  sighing,  girl,  kill  it  with  groans ; 
Or  get  some  little  knife  between  thy  teeth. 
And  just  against  thy  heart  make  thou  a  hole ; 
That  all  the  tears  that  thy  poor  eyes  let  fall 
May  run  into  that  sink,  and  soaking  in 
Drown  the  lamenting  fool  in  sea-salt  tears.  ao 

Marc,  Fie,   brother,    fie!  teach   her  not   thus 

to  lay 
Such  violent  hands  upon  her  tender  life. 

Tit  How  now !  has  sorrow  made  thee  dote 

already  ? 

Sc,  2.   This  scene  is  found    only  in  Ff.      It  was  probably 
omiUed  in  representation. 


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sc.  II  Titus  Andronicus 

Why,  Marcus,  no  man  should  be  mad  but  I. 

What  violent  hands  can  she  lay  on  her  life  ? 

Ah,  wherefore  dost  thou  urge  the  name  of  hands ; 

To  bid  iEneas  tell  the  tale  twice  o*er, 

How  Troy  was  burnt  and  he  made  miserable  ? 

O,  handle  not  the  theme,  to  talk  of  hands. 

Lest  we  remember  still  that  we  have  none. 

Fie,  fie,  how  franticly  I  square  my  talk. 

As  if  we  should  forget  we  had  no  hands. 

If  Marcus  did  not  name  the  word  of  hands ! 

Come,  let 's  fall  to ;  and,  gentle  girl,  eat  this : 

Here  is  no  drink  I     Hark,  Marcus,  what  she  says ; 

I  can  interpret  all  her  martyr'd  signs ; 

She  says  she  drinks  no  other  drink  but  tears, 

Brew'd  with  her  sorrow,  mesh'd  upon  her  cheeks  : 

Speechless  complainer,  I  will  learn  thy  thought ; 

In  thy  dumb  action  will  I  be  as  perfect 

As  begging  hermits  in  their  holy  prayers : 

Thou  shalt   not   sigh,   nor   hold   thy   stumps  to 

heaven. 
Nor  wink,  nor  nod,  nor  kneel,  nor  make  a  sign, 
But  I  of  these  will  wrest  an  alphabet 
And  by  still  practice  learn  to  know  thy  meaning. 
Boy,  Good  grandsire,  leave  these  bitter  deep 

laments : 
Make  my  aunt  merry  with  some  pleasing  tale. 

Marc,  Alas,  the  tender  boy,  in  passion  moved, 
Doth  weep  to  see  his  grandsire's  heaviness. 

Tit.  Peace,  tender  sapling;  thou  art  made  of 

tears, 
And  tears  will  quickly  melt  thy  life  away. 

\Marcu5  strikes  the  dish  with  a  knife. 

What  dost  thou  strike  at,  Marcus,  with  thy  knife  ? 

Marc.  At  that  that  I  have  kilFd,  my  lord ;  a  fly 

3Z.  square,  shape.  38.  mesh'd,  mashed. 

45.  still,  continual. 

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Titus  Andronicus  Acrm 

Tit,  Out  on  thee,   murderer!  thou  kill'st  my 
heart; 
Mine  eyes  are  cloy'd  with  view  of  tyranny : 
A  deed  of  death  done  on  the  innocent 
Becomes  not  Titus'  brother :  get  thee  gone ; 
I  see  thou  art  not  for  my  company. 

Marc,  Alas,  my  lord,  I  have  but  kilPd  a  fly. 

Tit,    But   how,  if  that  fly  had   a   father  and 
mother  ?  60 

How  would  he  hang  his  slender  gilded  wings, 
And  buzz  lamenting  doings  in  the  air ! 
Poor  harmless  fly. 

That,  with  his  pretty  buzzing  melody. 
Came  here  to  make   us  merry!  and  thou  hast 
kiird  him. 

Marc,    Pardon   me,    sir;  it   was   a   black   ill- 
favoured  fly. 
Like  to  the  empress'  Moor ;  therefore  I  kill'd  him. 

Tit,  O,  O,  O, 
Then  pardon  me  for  reprehending  thee, 
For  thou  hast  done  a  charitable  deed.  70 

Give  me  thy  knife,  I  will  insult  on  him ; 
Flattering  myself,  as  if  it  were  the  Moor 
Come  hither  purposely  to  poison  me. — 
There 's  for  thyself,  and  that 's  for  Tamora. 
Ah,  sirrah ! 

Yet,  I  think,  we  are  not  brought  so  low. 
But  that  between  us  we  can  kill  a  fly 
That  comes  in  likeness  of  a  coal-black  Moor. 

Marc,  Alas,  poor  man !  grief  has  so  ¥rrought 
on  him, 
He  takes  false  shadows  for  true  substances.  80 

Tit.  Come,  take  away.     Lavinia,  go  with  me : 
I  '11  to  thy  closet ;  and  go  read  with  thee 
Sad  stories  chanced  in  the  times  of  old. 
62.  lametUing  doings^  lamentations. 
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Come,  boy,  and  go  with  me :  thy  sight  is  young, 
And  thou  shalt  read  when  mine  begin  to  dazzle. 

[Exeunt, 


ACT  IV. 

Scene  I.     jRome,     Titus^s  garden. 

Enter  young  Lucius,  and  Lavinia  running 
after  him,  and  the  boy  flies  from  her,  with 
books  under  his  arm.  Then  enter  Titus  and 
Marcus. 

Young  Luc.  Help,    grandsire,    help!   my  aunt 
Lavinia 
Follows  me  every  where,  I  know  not  why : 
Good  uncle  Marcus,  see  how  swift  she  comes. 
Alas,  sweet  aunt,  I  know  not  what  you  mean. 
Marc,    Stand    by   me,    Lucius;    do    not    fear 

thine  aunt. 
Tit,  She  loves  thee,  boy,  too  well  to  do  thee  harm. 
Young  Luc,  Ay,  when  my  father  was  in  Rome 

she  did. 
Marc,  What  means  my  niece  Lavinia  by  these 

signs  ? 
Tit,    Fear   her   not,    Lucius :   somewhat   doth 
she  mean : 
See,  Lucius,  see  how  much  she  makes  of  thee :         lo 
Somewhither  would  she  have  thee  go  with  her. 
Ah,  boy,  Cornelia  never  with  more  care 
Read  to  her  sons  than  she  hath  read  to  thee 
Sweet  poetry  and  Tully*s  Orator. 

13.  her  sonst   Tiberius  and     treatise  00   the  training  of  an 
Cains  Gracchus.  orator  (De  Oratore). 

14.  Tulfy's  Orator;  Cicero's 

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Marc.    Canst  thou   not  guess  wherefore    she 

plies  thee  thus  ? 
Young  Luc.  My  lord,  I  know  not,  I,  nor  can 
I  guess, 
Unless  some  fit  or  frenzy  do  possess  her : 
For  I  have  heard  my  grandsire  say  full  oft, 
Extremity  of  griefs  would  make  men  mad ; 
And  I  have  read  that  Hecuba  of  Troy  » 

Ran  mad  for  sorrow :  that  made  me  to  fear ; 
Although,  my  lord,  I  know  my  noble  aunt 
Loves  me  as  dear  as  e'er  my  mother  did. 
And  would  not,  but  in  fury,  fright  my  youth : 
Which  made  me  down  to  throw  my  books,  and  fly, — 
Causeless,  perhaps.     But  pardon  me,  sweet  aunt : 
And,  madam,  if  my  uncle  Marcus  go, 
I  will  most  willingly  attend  your  ladyship. 
Marc,  Lucius,  I  will. 

\Lavinia  turns  over  with  her  stumps  the 
books  which  Lucius  has  let  fall. 
Tit,  How  now,  Lavinia !     Marcus,  what  means 
this  ?  90 

Some  book  there  is  that  she  desires  to  see. 
Which  is  it,  girl,  of  these  ?     Open  them,  boy. 
But  thou  art  deeper  read,  and  better  skill'd  : 
Come,  and  take  choice  of  all  my  library. 
And  so  beguile  thy  sorrow,  till  the  heavens 
Reveal  the  damn'd  contriver  of  this  deed. 
Why  lifts  she  up  her  arms  in  sequence  thus  ? 
Marc,  I  think  she  means  that  there  was  more 
than  one 
Confederate  in  the  fact :  ay,  more  there  was ; 
Or  else  to  heaven  she  heaves  them  for  revenge.        40 
Tit,  Lucius,  what  book  is  that  she  tosseth  so  ? 
Young  Luc,    Grandsire,   *tis    Ovid's   Metamor- 
phoses ; 

39.  fact,  crime. 


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SC.  I 


Titus  Andronicus 


My  mother  gave  it  me. 

Marc,  For  love  of  her  that 's  gone, 

Perhaps  she  culFd  it  from  among  the  rest. 

Tit  Soft !  so  busily  she  turns  the  leaves  ! 

[Helping  her. 
What  would  she  find  ?     Lavinia,  shall  I  read  ? 
This  is  the  tragic  tale  of  Philomel, 
And  treats  of  Tereus'  treason  and  his  rape ; 
And  rape,  I  fear,  was  root  of  thine  annoy. 

Marc.  See,  brother,  see ;  note  how  she  quotes 
the  leaves.  50 

Tit,  Lavinia,  wert  thou  thus  surprised,  sweet 
girl, 
Ravish'd  and  wrong'd,  as  Philomela  was. 
Forced  in  the  ruthless,  vast,  and  gloomy  woods  ? 
See,  see ! 

Ay,  such  a  place  there  is,  where  we  did  hunt — 
O,  had  we  never,  never  hunted  there ! — 
Patterned  by  that  the  poet  here  describes, 
By  nature  made  for  murders  and  for  rapes. 

Marc,  O,  why  should  nature  build  so  foul  a  den, 
Unless  the  gods  delight  in  tragedies  ?  60 

Tit  Give  signs,  sweet  girl,  for  here  are  none 
but  friends, 
What  Roman  lord  it  was  durst  do  the  deed : 
Or  slunk  not  Saturnine,  as  Tarqum  erst, 
That  left  the  camp  to  sin  in  Lucrece'  bed  ? 

Marc,  Sit  down,  sweet  niece :  brother,  sit  down 
by  me. 
Apollo,  Pallas,  Jove,  or  Mercury, 
Inspire  me,  that  I  may  this  treason  find ! 
My  lord,  look  here :  look  here,  Lavinia : 
This  sandy  plot  is  plain ;  guide,  if  thou  canst. 
This  after  me,  when  I  have  writ  my  name  70 

45.  ScftI  so  busily.     So  Qq         48.  treason,  treachery. 
Ft  5a  quotes,  examines. 

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Without  the  help  of  any  hand  at  alL 

[Ife  writes  his  name  with  his  staffs  and  guides 
it  with  feet  and  mouth. 
Cursed  be  that  heart  that  forced  us  to  this  shift ! 
Write  thou,  good  niece ;  and  here  display,  at  last. 
What  God  will  have  discovered  for  revenge : 
Heaven  guide  thy  pen  to  print  thy  sorrows  plain, 
That  we  may  know  the  traitors  and  the  truth ! 

\She  takes  the  staff  in  her  mouthy  and  guides 
it  with  her  stumps^  and  writes. 

Tit.  O,  do  ye  read,  my  lord,  what  she  hath  writ  ? 
*  Stuprum.     Chiron.     Demetrius.' 

Marc,  What,  what !  the  lustful  sons  of  Tamora 
Performers  of  this  heinous,  bloody  deed  ?  so 

Tit,  Magni  Dominator  poll, 
Tam  lentus  audis  scelera  ?  tam  lentus  vides  ? 

Marc,  O,  calm  thee,  gentle  lord;  although  I 
know 
There  is  enough  written  upon  this  earth 
To  stir  a  mutiny  in  the  mildest  thoughts 
And  arm  the  minds  of  infants  to  exclaims. 
My  lord,  kneel  down  with  me ;  Lavinia,  kneel ; 
And  kneel,  sweet  boy,  the  Roman  Hector's  hope ; 
And  swear  with  me,  as,  with  the  woful  fere 
And  father  of  that  chaste  dishonour'd  dame,  90 

Lord  Junius  Brutus  sware  for  Lucrece'  rape. 
That  we  will  prosecute  by  good  advice 
Mortal  revenge  upon  these  traitorous  Goths, 
And  see  their  blood,  or  die  with  this  reproach. 

Tit,  'Tis  sure  enough,  an  you  knew  how. 
But  if  you  hunt  these  bear-whelps,  then  beware : 
The  dam  will  wake ;  and,  if  she  wind  you  once, 

78.  stuprum,  i.e.  violation.  mighty  heaven,    dost   thou  so 

81.   Magni  Dominator  poli,  tardily  hear  crimes,  so  tardily 

etc. ;  from  Seneca's  *  Hippolytus/  see  them  ?  * 

slightly  adapted  :  '  Ruler  of  the         92.  by gpodadvicey6.€iSa&nX^, 

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SC.I  Titus  Andronicus 

She's  with  the  lion  deeply  still  in  league, 
And  lulls  him  whilst  she  playeth  on  her  back, 
And  when  he  sleeps  will  she  do  what  she  list.  zoo 

You  are  a  young  huntsman,  Marcus ;  let  it  alone ; 
And,  come,  I  will  go  get  a  leaf  of  brass, 
And  with  a  gad  6f  steel  will  write  these  words. 
And  lay  it  by  :  the  angry  northern  wind 
Will  blow  these  sands,  like  Sibyl's  leaves,  abroad, 
And  where 's  your  lesson,  then  ?     Boy,  what  say 
you? 

Young  Luc,  I  say,  my  lord,  that  if  I  were  a  man. 
Their  mother's  bed-chamber  should  not  be  safe 
For  these  bad  bondmen  to  the  yoke  of  Rome. 

Marc,  Ay,  that 's  my  boy !  thy  father  hath  full  oft  no 
For  his  ungrateful  country  done  the  like. 

Young  Luc,  And,  uncle,  so  will  I,  an  if  I  live. 

Jit,  Come,  go  with  me  into  mine  armoury ; 
Lucius,  I  '11  fit  thee ;  and  withal,  my  boy, 
Shalt  carry  from  me  to  the  empress'  sons 
Presents  that  I  intend  to  send  them  both : 
Come,  come ;  thou  'It  do  thy  message,  wilt  thou  not  ? 

Young  Luc,  Ay,  with  my  dagger  in  their  bosoms, 
grandsire. 

Tit.  No,  boy,  not  so ;  I  '11  teach  thee  another 
course. 
Lavinia,  come.     Marcus,  look  to  my  house :  120 

Lucius  and  I  '11  go  brave  it  at  the  court : 
Ay,  marry,  will  we,  sir ;  and  we  '11  be  waited  on. 

\Exeunt  Titus,  Lavinia,  and  Young  Luc, 

Marc,  O  heavens,  can  you  hear  a  good  man 
groan. 
And  not  relent,  or  not  compassion  him  ? 

103.  gad,  pierdng  instrument,  ances  of  the  prophetess  so  called, 
goad.  109.      bondmen,     as     being 

105.  SibyVs  leaves,  the  leaves  prisoners  of  war,  and  therefore 

containing  the   oracular   utter-  of  the  status  of  ^ves. 

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Marcus,  attend  him  in  his  ecstasy, 
That  hath  more  scars  of  sorrow  in  his  heart 
Than  foemen's  marks  upon  his  battered  shield ; 
But  yet  so  just  that  he  will  not  revenge. 
Revenge,  the  heavens,  for  old  Andronicus  1     [Exif. 


Scene  II.     T!k^  same,     A  room  in  the  palace, 

Entery  from  one  side^    Aaron,    Demetrius,  and 
Chiron  ;  from  the  other  side,  young  Lucius, 
and  an  Attendant,  with  a  bundle  of  weapons 
and  verses  writ  upon  them, 

CM,  Demetrius,  here 's  the  son  of  Lucius ; 
He  hath  some  message  to  deliver  us. 

Aar,  Ay,  some  mad  message   from   his  mad 

grandfather. 
Young  Luc,  My  lords,  with  all  the  humbleness 
I  may, 
I  greet  your  honours  from  Andronicus. 
[Aside"]  And  pray  the  Roman  gods  confound  you 
both! 
Dem.    Gramercy,   lovely   Lucius:    what's    the 

news? 
Young  Luc.   [Aside"]  That  you   are  both   de- 
ciphered, that 's  the  news, 
For  villains  marked  with  rape. — May  it  please  you, 
My  grandsire,  well  advised,  hath  sent  by  me  xo 

The  goodliest  weapons  of  his  armoury 
To  gratify  your  honourable  youth^ 
The  hope  of  Rome ;  for  so  he  bade  me  say ; 

125.  ecstasy t  frenzy.  idiomatic  in  Elizabethan  English 

129.  Revenge t    the   heavens;  in  forms  of  address. 

so  Qq  Ff.     Johnson  conjectmcd  8.  Omitted  in  Ff. 

'  ye  heavens,'  and  this  is  retained  lo.  weU  advised^  in  his  right 

by  Camb.  edd.     But  'the'  is  mind. 


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sc.  II  Titus  Andronicus 

And  so  I  do,  and  with  his  gifts  present 
Your  lordships,  that,  whenever  you  have  need, 
You  may  be  armed  and  appointed  well : 
And  so  I  leave  you  both — [Aside]  like  bloody 
villains. 

[Exeunt  young  Lucius  and  Attendant, 
Dem,    What's   here?     A   scroll;    and  written 
round  about  ? 
Let 's  see : 

[Reads]  *  Integer  vitae,  scelerisque  purus,  go 

Non  eget  Mauri  jaculis,  nee  arcu.' 
Chi,  O,  'tis  a  verse  in  Horace ;  I  know  it  well : 
I  read  it  in  the  grammar  long  ago. 

Aar,  Ay,  just;  a  verse  in  Horace;  right,  you 
have  it. 
[Aside]  Now,  what  a  thing  it  is  to  be  an  ass ! 
Here's  no  sound  jest!  the  old  man  hath  found 

their  guilt ; 
And  sends  them  weapons  wrapped  about  with  lines. 
That  wound,  beyond  their  feeling,  to  the  quick. 
But  were  our  witty  empress  well  afoot. 
She  would  applaud  Andronicus*  conceit :  30 

But  let  her  rest  in  her  unrest  awhile. 

And  now,  young  lords,  was 't  not  a  happy  star 
Led  us  to  Rome,  strangers,  and  more  than  so. 
Captives,  to  be  advanced  to  this  height  ? 
It  did  me  good,  before  the  palace  gate 
To  brave  the  tribune  in  his  brother's  hearing. 

I>em,  But  me  more  good,  to  see  so  great  a  lord 
Basely  insinuate  and  send  us  gifts. 

Aar.  Had  he  not  reason,  Lord  Demetrius  ? 
Did  you  not  use  his  daughter  very  friendly  ?  40 

36.  fto  sound  jest,  i.e.  jest  in     out  their  perceiving  it. 
earnest  38.  insinuate^  insinuate  him- 

28.  beyond  their  feeling,  with-     sdf,  wind  into  our  favour. 

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Dem,  I  would  we  had  a  thousand  Roman  dames 
At  such  a  bay,  by  turn  to  serve  our  lust 
CM,  A  charitable  wish  and  full  of  love. 
Aar,    Here  lacks  but  your  mother  for  to  say 

amen. 
CM.  And  that  would  she  for  twenty  thousand 

more. 
Dem,  Come,  let  us  go ;  and  pray  to  all  the  gods 
For  our  beloved  mother  in  her  pains. 

Aar,  [Aside]  Pray  to  the  devils ;  the  gods  have 

given  us  over. 

[Trumpet  sound  witMn. 
Dem,  Why  do  the  emperor's  trumpets  flourish 

thus? 
CM,  Belike,  for  joy  the  emperor  hath  a  son.         50 
Dent,  Soft !  who  comes  here  ? 

Enter  a  Nurse,  with  a  blackamoor  Child  in  her 
arms, 

Nur.  Good  morrow,  lords : 

O,  tell  me,  did  you  see  Aaron  the  Moor  ? 

Aar,  Well,  more  or  less,  or  ne'er  a  whit  at  all. 
Here  Aaron  is ;  and  what  with  Aaron  now? 

Nur,  O  gentle  Aaron,  we  are  all  undone ! 
Now  help,  or  woe  betide  thee  evermore  I 

Aar,  Why,  what  a  caterwauling  dost  thou  keep  I 
What  dost  thou  wrap  and  fumble  in  thine  arms  ? 

Nur.  O,  that  which  I  would  hide  from  heaven's 
eye. 
Our  empress'  shame,  and  stately  Rome's  disgrace !  60 
She  is  deliver'd,  lords ;  she  is  deliver'd. 

Aar,  To  whom  ? 

Nur,  I  mean,  she  is  brought  a-bed. 

Aar,  Well,  God  give  her  good  rest !     What  hath 
he  sent  her? 

42.  At  such  a  bayt  in  such  a  desperate  extreme. 


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sc.  II  Titus  Aridronicus 

Nur,  A  devil 

Aar.  Why,  then  she  is  the  devirs  dam ;  a  joyful 
issue. 

JVur,  A  joyless,  dismal,  black,  and  sorrowful  issue: 
Here  is  the  babe,  as  loathsome  as  a  toad 
Amongst  the  fairest  breeders  of  our  clime : 
The  empress  sends  it  thee,  thy  stamp,  thy  seal. 
And  bids  thee  christen  it  with  thy  dagger's  point.     70 

Aar.  'Zounds,  ye  whore  !  is  black  so  base  a  hue  ? 
Sweet  blowse,  you  are  a  beauteous  blossom,  sure. 

I?em,  Villain,  what  hast  thou  done? 

Aar.  That  which  thou  canst  not  undo. 

CAi.  Thou  hast  undone  our  mother. 

Aar.  Villain,  I  have  done  thy  mother. 

I^^m,  And  therein,  hellish  dog,  thou  hast  un- 
done. 
Woe  to  her  chance,  and  damn'd  her  loathed  choice ! 
Accursed  the  offspring  of  so  foul  a  fiend  ! 

Chi,  It  shall  not  live.  80 

Aar.  It  shall  not  die. 

JVur.  Aaron,  it  must ;  the  mother  wills  it  so. 

Aar.  What,  must  it,  nurse?  then  let  no  man  but  I 
Do  execution  on  my  flesh  and  blood. 

I^em.    I'll  broach  the  tadpole  on  my  rapier's 
point : 
Nurse,  give  it  me ;  my  sword  shall  soon  dispatch  it 

Aar.  Sooner  this  sword  shall  plough  thy  bowels 
up.  [Takes  the  Child  from  the  Nurse, 

and  draws. 
Stay,  murderous  villains!  will  you  kill  your  brother? 
Now,  by  the  burning  tapers  of  the  sky. 
That  shone  so  brightly  when  this  boy  was  got,         90 
He  dies  upon  my  scimitar's  sharp  point 
That  touches  this  my  first-bom  son  and  heir ! 

72.  blowse^  a  phimp  wench. 
76.     *  Aar.  .  .  .  mother.'     Omitted  in  Ff. 

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Titus  Andronicus  Acrnr 

I  tell  you,  younglings,  not  Enceladus, 

With  all  his  threatening  band  of  Typhon's  brood, 

Nor  great  Alcides,  nor  the  god  of  war, 

Shall  seize  this  prey  out  of  his  father's  hands. 

What,  what,  ye  sanguine,  shallow-hearted  boys  I 

Ye  white-limed  walls !  ye  alehouse  painted  signs  1 

Coal-black  is  better  than  another  hue, 

In  that  it  scorns  to  bear  another  hue ;  loo 

For  all  the  water  in  the  ocean 

Can  never  turn  the  swan's  black  legs  to  white, 

Although  she  lave  them  hourly  in  the  flood. 

Tell  the  empress  from  me,  I  am  of  age 

To  keep  mine  own,  excuse  it  how  she  can. 

Dent,  Wilt  thou  betray  thy  noble  mistress  thus  ? 

Aar.  My  mistress  is  my  mistress ;  this  myself 
The  vigour  and  the  picture  of  my  youth  : 
This  before  all  the  world  do  I  prefer ; 
This  maugre  all  the  world  will  I  keep  safe,  no 

Or  some  of  you  shall  smoke  for  it  in  Rome. 

Dem,  By  this  our  mother  is  for  ever  shamed. 

CM.  Rome  will  despise  her  for  this  foul  escape. 

Nur,  The  emperor,  in  his  rage,  will  doom  her 
death. 

Chi,  I  blush  to  think  upon  this  ignomy. 

Aar,   Why,  there's  the  privilege  your  beauty 
bears: 
Fie,  treacherous  hue,  that  will  betray  with  blushing 
The  dose  enacts  and  counsels  of  the  heart ! 
Here 's  a  young  lad  framed  of  another  leer : 
Look,  how  the  black  slave  smiles  upon  the  father,  zao 
As  who  should  say  '  Old  lad,  I  am  thine  own.' 
He  is  your  brother,  lords,  sensibly  fed 

^3.  Enceladus^  .  .  .   Typhon^  113.  escape^  offence, 

giants  of  classic  legend,  associ-  115.  ignomy  (a  popular  con- 

ated  with  the  fury  of  fire  and  traction  of  'ignominy'), 
wind.  119.   leer,  hue,  complexion. 

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Of  that  self  blood  that  first  gave  life  to  you, 
And  from  that  womb  where  you  imprisoned  were 
He  is  enfranchised  and  come  to  light : 
Nay,  he  is  your  brother  by  the  surer  side, 
Although  my  seal  be  stamped  in  his  face. 

Nur.  Aaron,  what  shall  I  say  unto  the  empress  ? 

Dem.  Advise  thee,  Aaron,  what  is  to  be  done. 
And  we  will  all  subscribe  to  thy  advice :  xao 

Save  thou  the  child,  so  we  may  all  be  safe. 

Aar,  Then  sit  we  down,  and  let  us  all  consult. 
My  son  and  I  will  have  the  wind  of  you : 
Keep  there :  now  talk  at  pleasure  of  your  safety. 

\They  sit. 

Dem.  How  many  women  saw  this  child  of  his  ? 

Aar.  Why,  so,  brave  lords !  when  we  join  in  league, 
I  am  a  lamb :  but  if  you  brave  the  Moor, 
The  chafed  boar,  the  mountain  lioness, 
The  ocean  swells  not  so  as  Aaron  storms. 
But  say,  again,  how  many  saw  the  child?  140 

Nur,  Cornelia  the  midwife  and  myself; 
And  no  one  else  but  the  delivered  empress. 

Aar.  The  empress,  the  midwife,  and  yourself: 
Two  may  keep  counsel  when  the  third 's  away : 
Go  to  the  empress,  tell  her  this  I  said. 

[He  kills  the  nurse. 
Weke,  weke !  so  cries  a  pig  prepared  to  the  spit. 

Dem.   What  mean'st  thou,  Aaron?   wherefore 
didst  thou  this  ? 

Aar.  O  Lord,  sir,  'tis  a  deed  of  policy : 
Shall  she  live  to  betray  this  guilt  of  ours, 
A  long-tongued  babbling  gossip  ?  no,  lords,  no :      150 
And  now  be  it  known  to  you  my  full  intent. 
Not  far,  one  Muli  lives,  my  countryman ; 

123.  selft  self-same.  bethans.  '  Muli     lives '     is 

152.  J/»/»,  Muley,  an  Eastern     Steevens'  conjecture  for  Qq  Ff 
name  well  known  to  the  Eliza-      *  Muliteus.' 

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His  wife  but  yesternight  was  brought  to  bed ; 

His  child  is  like  to  her,  fair  as  you  are : 

Go  pack  with  him,  and  give  the  mother  gold. 

And  tell  them  both  the  circumstance  of  all ; 

And  how  by  this  their  child  shall  be  advanced, 

And  be  received  for  the  emperor's  heir, 

And  substituted  in  the  place  of  mine, 

To  calm  this  tempest  whirling  in  the  court ;  i6o 

And  let  the  emperor  dandle  him  for  his  own. 

Hark  ye,  lords ;  ye  see  I  have  given  her  physic, 

[Pointing  to  the  nurse. 
And  you  must  needs  bestow  her  funeral ; 
The  fields  are  near,  and  you  are  gallant  grooms : 
This  done,  see  that  you  take  no  longer  days, 
But  send  the  midwife  presently  to  me. 
The  midwife  and  the  nurse  well  made  away, 
Then  let  the  ladies  tattle  what  they  please. 

Chi,  Aaron,  I  see  thou  wilt  not  trust  the  air 
With  secrets. 

Dent,  For  this  care  of  Tamora,  vjo 

Herself  and  hers  are  highly  bound  to  thee. 

\Exeunt  Dem,  and  CM,  bearing  off  the 
Nurses  body. 

Aar,  Now  to  the  Goths,  as  swift  as   swallow 
flies; 
There  to  dispose  this  treasure  in  mine  arms. 
And  secretly  to  greet  the  empress'  friends. 
Come  on,  you  thick-lipp'd  slave,   I  '11  bear  you 

hence ; 
For  it  is  you  that  puts  us  to  our  shifts : 
I  '11  make  you  feed  on  berries  and  on  roots, 
And  feed  on  curds  and  whey,  and  suck  the  goat, 

155-  pack,  plot.  the  completion  of  a  business. 

164.  gallant  grooms^   stout  178.  feed.     The  repetition  of 
fellows.                                              the  word  is  suspicious ;   but  it 

165.  days,  period  assigned  for      cannot  be  certainly  emended. 

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sc.  Ill  Titus  Andronicus 

And  cabin  in  a  cave,  and  bring  you  up 

To  be  a  warrior,  and  command  a  camp.        [Exit  iSo 


Scene  III.     The  same.     A  public  place. 

Enter  Titus,  bearing  arrows  with  letters  at 
the  ends  of  them ;  with  him,  Marcus,  young 
Lucius,  PuBLius,  Sempronius,  Caius,  and 
other  Gentlemen,  with  bows. 

Tit  Come,  Marcus;  come,  kinsmen;  this  is  the 
way. 
Sir  boy,  now  let  me  see  your  archery ; 
Look  ye  draw  home  enough,  and  'tis  there  straight 
Terras  Astraea  reliquit : 

Be  you  remembered,  Marcus,  she 's  gone,  she 's  fled. 
Sirs,  take  you  to  your  tools.     You,  cousins,  shall 
Go  sound  the  ocean,  and  cast  your  nets ; 
Happily  you  may  catch  her  in  the  sea ; 
Yet  there 's  as  little  justice  as  at  land  : 
No ;  Publius  and  Sempronius,  you  must  do  it  » 

eTis  you  must  dig  with  mattock  and  with  spade. 
And  pierce  the  inmost  centre  of  the  earth : 
Then,  when  you  come  to  Pluto's  region, 
I  pray  you,  deliver  him  this  petition ; 
Tell  him,  it  is  for  justice  and  for  aid. 
And  that  it  comes  from  old  Andronicus, 
Shaken  with  sorrows  in  ungrateful  Rome. 
Ah,  Rome !     Well,  well ;  I  made  thee  miserable 
What  time  I  threw  the  people's  suffrages 
On  him  that  thus  doth  tyrannize  o'er  me.  ao 

Go,  get  you  gone ;  and  pray  be  careful  all. 
And  leave  you  not  a  man-of-war  unsearch'd  : 

4.    Asiraa,    the  goddess    of         8.  Happily,  haply. 
Justice,   who  of  all  the  gods         16.  that;  QqFfhave   then, 
lingered  longest  among  men.  a  palpable  slip  or  misprint. 

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This  wicked  emperor  may  have  shipp'd  her  hence ; 
And,  kinsmen,  then  we  may  go  pipe  for  justice. 

Marc.  O  Publius,  is  not  this  a  heavy  case, 
To  see  thy  noble  uncle  thus  distract  ? 

Pub.  Therefore,  my  lord,  it  highly  us  concerns 
By  day  and  night  to  attend  him  carefully. 
And  feed  his  humour  kindly  as  we  may, 
Till  time  beget  some  careful  remedy.  30 

Marc.  Kinsmen,  his  sorrows  are  past  remedy. 
Join  with  the  Goths ;  and  with  revengeful  war 
Take  wreak  on  Rome  for  this  ingratitude. 
And  vengeance  on  the  traitor  Saturnine. 

Tit  Publius,  how  now !  how  now,  my  masters ! 
What,  have  you  met  with  her  ? 

Pub.  No,  my  good  lord;  but  Pluto  sends  you 
word, 
If  you  will  have  Revenge  from  hell,  you  shall : 
Marry,  for  Justice,  she  is  so  employed, 
He  thinks,  with  Jove  in  heaven,  or  somewhere  else,  40 
So  that  perforce  you  must  needs  stay  a  time. 

Tit  He  doth  me  wrong  to  feed  me  with  delays. 
I  '11  dive  into  the  burning  lake  below. 
And  pull  her  out  of  Acheron  by  the  heels. 
Marcus,  we  are  but  shrubs,  no  cedars  we. 
No  big-boned  men  framed  of  the  Cyclops*  size ; 
But  metal,  Marcus,  steel  to  the  very  back. 
Yet  wrung  with  wrongs  more  than  our  backs  can 

bear: 
And,  sith  there 's  no  justice  in  earth  nor  hell, 
We  will  solicit  heaven  and  move  the  gods  50 

To  send  down  Justice  for  to  wreak  our  wrongs. 
Come,  to  this  gear.       You  are   a  good  archer, 
Marcus ;  \He  gives  them  the  arrows, 

30.  careful :  perhaps  an  error  the  sense  of  leading  to  a  cure, 
due  to  '  carefully '  above,  which  would  thus  simply  enforce 
Schmidt  suggests  'curefiil/  in      'remedy.' 

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sc.  Ill  Titus  Andronicus 

•  Ad  Jovem/  that  *s  for  you:  here,  *  Ad  Apollinem : ' 

*  Ad  Martem,'  that's  for  myself: 
Here,  boy,  to  Pallas :  here,  to  Mercury : 
To  Saturn,  Caius,  not  to  Saturnine ; 

You  were  as  good  to  shoot  against  the  wind. 
To  it,  boy  !     Marcus,  loose  when  I  bid. 
Of  my  word,  I  have  written  to  effect ; 
There 's  not  a  god  left  unsolicited.  60 

Marc.  Kinsmen,  shoot  all  your  shs^ts  into  the 
court: 
We  will  afflict  the  emperor  in  his  pride. 

Tit  Now,  masters,  draw.     \They  shoot]  O,  well 
said,  Lucius ! 
Good  boy,  in  Virgo's  lap ;  give  it  Pallas. 

Marc.  My  lord,  I  aim  a  mile  beyond  the  moon ; 
Your  letter  is  with  Jupiter  by  this. 

Tit  Ha,  ha ! 
Publius,  Publius,  what  hast  thou  done  ? 
See,  see,  thou  hast  shot  off  one  of  Taurus'  horns. 
Marc,  This  was  the  sport,  my  lord  :  when  Publius 
shot,  70 

The  Bull,  being  gall'd,  gave  Aries  such  a  knock 
That  down  fell  both  the  Ram's  horns  in  the  court ; 
And  who  should  find  them  but  the  empress'  villain  ? 
She  laugh'd,  and  told  the  Moor  he  should  not 

choose 
But  give  them  to  his  master  for  a  present. 

7Yt  Why,  there  it  goes :  God  give  his  lordship 
joy! 

Enter  a  Clown,  with  a  basket^  and  two  pigeons  in  it. 

News,  news  from  heaven !    Marcus,  the  post  is 
come. 

59.    Cf  my   word,    on    my     shot  into  the  middle  of  the  con- 
word,  stellation  Virgo.     So  Taurus  in 
64.  in  Virgo's  lap.     He  has     v.  69. 

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Sirrah,  what  tidings  ?  have  you  any  letters  ? 
Shall  I  have  justice  ?  what  says  Jupiter  ? 

Clo,    O,  the  gibbet-maker!    he   says  that  he  80 
hath  taken  them  down  again,  for  the  man  must 
not  be  hanged  till  the  next  week. 

Tit  But  what  says  Jupiter,  I  ask  thee  ? 

Clo.  Alas,  sir,  I  know  not  Jupiter;  I  never 
drank  with  him  in  all  my  life. 

Tit  Why,  villain,  art  not  thou  the  carrier  ? 

Clo,  Ay,  of  my  pigeons,  sir ;  nothing  else. 

Tit  Why,  didst  thou  not  come  from  heaven  ? 

Clo.  From  heaven!  alas,  sir,  I  never  came 
there :  God  forbid  I  should  be  so  bold  to  press  to  90 
heaven  in  my  young  days.  Why,  I  am  going 
with  my  pigeons  to  the  tribunal  plebs,  to  take  up 
a  matter  of  brawl  betwixt  my  uncle  and  one  of 
the  emperiaFs  men. 

Marc,  Why,  sir,  that  'is  as  fit  as  can  be  to 
serve  for  your  oration;  and  let  him  deliver  the 
pigeons  to  the  emperor  from  you. 

Tit  Tell  me,  can  you  deliver  an  oration  to 
the  emperor  with  a  grace  ? 

Clo.  Nay,   truly,  sir,   I  could  never  say  grace  xoo 
in  all  my  life. 

Tit  Sirrah,  come  hither :  make  no  more  ado, 
But  give  your  pigeons  to  the  emperor : 
By  me  thou  shalt  have  justice  at  his  hands. 
Hold,   hold;    meanwhile  here's  money   for   thy 

charges. 
Give  me  pen  and  ink.     Sirrah,   can  you  with  a 
grace  deliver  a  supplication  ? 

Clo,  Ay,  sir. 

Tit,  Then  here  is  a  supplication  for  you. 
And  when  you  come  to  him,  at  the  first  approach  no 

92.   tribunal  plebs^  the  clown's  blunder  for  '  the  tribune  of  the 
plebs.* 

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Titus  Andronicus 


you  must  kneel,  then  kiss  his  foot,  then  deliver 
up  your  pigeons,  and  then  look  for  your  reward 
I  '11  be  at  hand,  sir ;  see  you  do  it  bravely. 

Clo,  I  warrant  you,  sir,  let  me  alone. 

Tit  Sirrah,  hast  thou  a  knife?  come,  let  me  see  it 
Here,  Marcus,  fold  it  in  the  oration ; 
For  thou  hast  made  it  like  an  humble  suppliant 
And  when  thou  hast  given  it  the  emperor. 
Knock  at  my  door,  and  tell  me  what  he  says. 

Clo,  God  be  with  you,  sir ;  I  will.  j 

Tit,  Come,  Marcus,  let  us  go.     Publius,  follow 
me.  \Eoceunt. 


Scene  IV.     The  same.      Before  the  palace, 

0  Enter  Saturninus,  Tamora,  Demetrius, 
Chiron,  Lords,  and  others ;  Saturninus 
with  the  arrows  in  his  hand  that  Titus  shot. 

Sat,  Why,  lords,  what  wrongs  are  these !  was 
ever  seen 
An  emperor  in  Rome  thus  overborne. 
Troubled,  confronted  thus ;  and,  for  the  extent 
Of  egal  justice,  used  in  such  contempt  ? 
My  lords,  you  know,  as  know  the  mightful  gods, 
However  these  disturbers  of  our  peace 
Buz  in  the  people's  ears,  there  nought  hath  pass'd. 
But  even  with  law,  against  the  wilful  sons 
Of  old  Andronicus.     And  what  an  if 
His  sorrows  have  so  overwhelmed  his  wits,  w 

Shall  we  be  thus  afflicted  in  his  wreaks. 
His  fits,  his  frenzy,  and  his  bitterness  ? 
And  now  he  writes  to  heaven  for  his  redress : 

3.  for  the  extent  of  egal  justice t  for  having  inflicted  justice  im- 
partially. 

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See,  here 's  to  Jove,  and  this  to  Mercury ; 

This  to  Apollo ;  this  to  the  god  of  war ; 

Sweet  scrolls  to  fly  about  the  streets  of  Rome  I 

What 's  this  but  libelling  against  the  senate, 

And  blazoning  our  injustice  every  where  ? 

A  goodly  humour,  is  it  not,  my  lords  ? 

As  who  would  say,  in  Rome  no  justice  were.  m 

But  if  I  live,  his  feigned  ecstasies 

Shall  be  no  shelter  to  these  outrages  : 

But  he  and  his  shall  know  that  justice  lives 

In  Satuminus'  health,  whom,  if  she  sleep. 

He  '11  so  awake  as  she  in  fury  shall 

Cut  off  the  proud'st  conspirator  that  lives. 

Tarn.  My  gracious  lord,  my  lovely  Saturnine, 
Lord  of  my  life,  commander  of  my  thoughts, 
Calm  thee,  and  bear  the  faults  of  Titus*  age, 
The  effects  of  sorrow  for  his  valiant  sons,  30 

Whose  loss  hath  pierced  him  deep  and  scarr'd  his 

heart; 
And  rather  comfort  his  distressed  plight 
Than  prosecute  the  meanest  or  the  best 
For  these  contempts.     [Aside]  Why,  thus  it  shall 

become 
High-witted  Tamora  to  gloze  with  all : 
But,  Titus,  I  have  touch'd  thee  to  the  quick, 
Thy  life-blood  out :  if  Aaron  now  be  wise, 
Then  is  all  safe,  the  anchor  *s  in  the  port. 

JEnter  Clown. 

How  now,  good  fellow !  wouldst  thou  speak  with 
us? 
C/o,    Yea,    forsooth,    an   your    mistership    be 
emperial  40 

21.  ecstasies,  madness.  drawn  out  thy  Kfe-blood. 

35.  ^loMe,  make  idle  words.  4a  mistership,  for  *  mistress 

37.    Thy  life-blood  out,   i.e.      ship.' 

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Tarn.     Empress    I   am,    but   yonder   sits   the 
emperor. 

C/o.  Tis  he.  God  and  Saint  Stephen  give 
you  good  den  :  I  have  brought  you  a  letter  and  a 
couple  of  pigeons  here. 

[Safurni'nus  reads  the  letter. 

Sat,  Go,  take  him  away,  and  hang  him  pre- 
sently. 

Clo.  How  much  money  must  I  have  ? 

Tam.  Come,  sirrah,  you  must  be  hanged. 

Clo,  Hanged  !  by  *r  lady,  then  I  have  brought 
up  a  neck  to  a  fair  end.  [Exit,  guarded. 

Sat,  Despiteful  and  intolerable  wrongs !  50 

Shall  I  endure  this  monstrous  villany  ? 
I  know  from  whence  this  same  device  proceeds : 
May  this  be  borne  ? — as  if  his  traitorous  sons. 
That  died  by  law  for  murder  of  our  brother. 
Have  by  my  means  been  butcher'd  wrongfully ! 
Go,  drag  the  villain  hither  by  the  hair ; 
Nor  age  nor  honour  shall  shape  privilege  : 
For  this  proud  mock  I  *11  be  thy  slaughter-man ; 
Sly  frantic  wretch,  that  holp'st  to  make  me  great. 
In  hope  thyself  should  govern  Rome  and  me.  60 

Enter  Muuavs. 

What  news  with  thee,  -^milius  ? 

/Emil,  Arm,  arm,  my  lord ; — Rome  never  had 
more  cause. 
The  Goths  have  gathered  head ;  and  with  a  power 
Of  high-resolved  men,  bent  to  the  spoil. 
They  hither  march  amain,  under  conduct 
Of  Lucius,  son  to  old  Andronicus ; 
Who  threats,  in  course  of  this  revenge,  to  do 
As  much  as  ever  Coriolanus  did. 

Sat,  Is  warlike  Lucius  general  of  the  Goths  ? 
These  tidings  nip  me,  and  I  hang  the  head  70 


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As  flowers  with  frost  or  grass  beat  down  with  storms : 
Ay,  now  begin  our  sorrows  to  approach : 
Tis  he  the  common  people  love  so  much  ; 
Myself  hath  often  over-heard  them  say, 
When  I  have  walked  like  a  private  man, 
That  Lucius'  banishment  was  wrongfully, 
And   they   have  wbh'd   that   Lucius   were   their 
emperor. 

Tarn,  Why  should  you  fear?  is  not  your  city 
strong  ? 

Sat.  Ay,  but  the  citizens  favour  Lucius, 
And  will  revolt  from  me  to  succour  him.  so 

Tarn,  King,  be  thy  thoughts  imperious,  like  thy 
name. 
Is  the  sun  dimm'd,  that  gnats  do  fly  in  it  ? 
The  eagle  suffers  little  birds  to  sing. 
And  is  not  careful  what  they  mean  thereby,  i.' 

Knowing  that  with  the  shadow  of  his  wings 
He  can  at  pleasure  stint  their  melody : 
Even  so  mayst  thou  the  giddy  men  of  Rome. 
Then  cheer  thy  spirit :  for  know,  thou  emperor, 
I  will  enchant  the  old  Andronicus 
With  words  more  sweet,  and  yet  more  dangerous,     90 
Than  baits  to  fish,  or  honey-stalks  to  sheep. 
When  as  the  one  is  wounded  with  the  bait. 
The  other  rotted  with  delicious  feed. 

Saf.  But  he  will  not  entreat  his  son  for  us. 

Tarn,  If  Tamora  entreat  him,  then  he  will ; 
For  I  can  smooth  and  fill  his  aged  ear 
With  golden  promises ;  that,  were  his  heart 
Almost  impregnable,  his  old  ears  deaf. 
Yet  should  both  ear  and  heart  obey  my  tongue. 
[To^mt/tus]  Go  thou  before,  be  our  ambassador :  100 
Say  that  the  emperor  requests  a  parley 
Of  warlike  Lucius,  and  appoint  the  meeting 

86.  sHnt,  cause  to  cease.  91.  honey-stalks,  clover  flower. 

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ACTv  Titus  Andronicus 

Even  at  his  father's  house,  the  old  Andronicus. 

Sat  ^milius,  do  this  message  honourably  : 
And  if  he  stand  on  hostage  for  his  safety, 
Bid  him  demand  what  pledge  will  please  him  best. 

^mil.  Your  bidding  shall  I  do  effectually. 

[Exit 

Tarn,  Now  will  I  to  that  old  Andronicus, 
And  temper  him  with  all  the  art  I  have, 
To  pluck  proud  Lucius  from  the  warlike  Goths. 
And  now,  sweet  emperor,  be  blithe  again. 
And  bury  all  thy  fear  in  my  devices. 

Sat,  Then  go  successantly,  and  plead  to  him. 

[Exeunt. 


ACT  V 

Scene  I.     Plains  near  Rome. 

Enter  Lucius  with  an  army  <j^  Goths,  with 
drum  and  colours, 

Luc,  Approved  warriors,  and  my  faithful  friends, 
I  have  received  letters  from  great  Rome, 
Which  signify  what  hate  they  bear  their  emperor 
And  how  desirous  of  our  sight  they  are. 
Therefore,  great  lords,  be,  as  your  titles  witness, 
Imperious  and  impatient  of  your  wrongs, 
And  wherein  Rome  hath  done  you  any  scath, 
Let  him  make  treble  satisfaction. 

First  Goth,  Brave  slip,  sprung  from  the  great 
Andronicus, 

109.  temper,  mould.  Rowe      read       'successfully' 

11^.  successantly.  Apparently  Capell,  '  incessanUy. ' 

a  coined  word  for  '  in  succession ' 

(to  .£inilius,  just  despatched).  7.  scath,  harm. 

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Whose  nancie  was  once  our  terror,  now  our  comfort ;  »> 
Whose  high  exploits  and  honourable  deeds 
Ingrateful  Rome  requites  with  foul  contempt, 
Be  bold  in  us :  we  'U  follow  where  thou  lead'st. 
Like  stinging  bees  in  hottest  summer's  day 
Led  by  their  master  to  the  flowered  fields, 
And  be  avenged  on  cursed  Tamora. 

All  the  Goths,  And  as  he  saith,  so  say  we  all 
with  him. 

Luc.  I  humbly  thank  him,  and  I  thank  you  all 
But  who  comes  here,  led  by  a  lusty  Goth  ? 

Enter  a  Goth,  leading  Aaron  with  his  Child 
in  his  arms. 

Sec.  Goth.  Renowned  Lucius,  from  our  troops 
I  stra/d  9o 

To  gaze  upon  a  ruinous  monastery ; 
And,  as  I  earnestly  did  fix  mine  eye 
Upon  the  wasted  building,  suddenly 
I  heard  a  child  cry  underneath  a  wall 
I  made  unto  the  noise ;  when  soon  I  heard 
The  crying  babe  controlled  with  this  discourse : 

*  Peace,  tawny  slave,  half  me  and  half  thy  dam  ! 
Did  not  thy  hue  bewray  whose  brat  thou  art, 
Had  nature  lent  thee  but  thy  mother's  look. 
Villain,  thou  mightst  have  been  an  emperor :  30 
But  where  the  bull  and  cow  are  both  milk-white, 
They  never  do  beget  a  coal-black  calf. 

Peace,  villain,  peace ! ' — even  thus  he  rates  the 
babe, — 

*  For  I  must  bear  thee  to  a  trusty  Goth ; 

Who,  when  he  knows  thou  art  the  empress'  babe. 
Will  hold  thee  dearly  for  thy  mother's  sake/ 

15.  master t  i.e.  the  queen  bee.      palpable  contradiction  with  the 

27.  /aw«y,  i.e.  a  hue  between      previous    statement     that     the 

black  and  white.      This  is  in     Moor's  child  is  a  '  blackamoor.' 

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With  this,  my  weapon  drawn,  I  rush'd  upon  him, 
Surprised  him  suddenly,  and  brought  him  hither, 
To  use  as  you  think  needful  of  the  man. 

Luc,  O  worthy  Goth,  this  is  the  incarnate  devil    40 
That  robb'd  Andronicus  of  his  good  hand ; 
This  is  the  pearl  that  pleased  your  empress'  eye, 
And  here 's  the  base  fruit  of  his  burning  lust 
Say,  wall-eyed  slave,  whither  wouldst  thou  convey 
This  growing  image  of  thy  fiend-like  face  ? 
Why  dost  not  speak?  what,  deaf?  not  a  word  ? 
A  halter,  soldiers !  hang  him  on  this  tree. 
And  by  his  side  his  fruit  of  bastardy. 

Aar,  Touch  not  the  boy ;  he  is  of  royal  blood 

Luc,  Too  like  the  sire  for  ever  being  good.  so 

First  hang  the  child,  that  he  may  see  it  sprawl ; 
A  sight  to  vex  the  father's  soul  withal 
Get  me  a  ladder. 

\A  ladder  braughty  which  Aaron  is 
made  to  ascend, 

Aar.  Lucius,  save  the  child. 

And  bear  it  from  me  to  the  empress. 
If  thou  do  this,  I  '11  show  thee  wondrous  things. 
That  highly  may  advantage  thee  to  hear : 
If  thou  wilt  not,  befall  what  may  befall, 
1 11  speak  no  more  but  *  Vengeance  rot  you  all ! ' 

Luc.  Say  on :    an  if  it  please  me  which  thou 
speak'st. 
Thy  child  shall  live,  and  I  will  see  it  nourished.        60 

Aar,  An  if  it  please  thee !   why,  assure  thee, 
Lucius, 
'Twill  vex  thy  soul  to  hear  what  I  shall  speak ; 
For  I  must  talk  of  murders,  rapes  and  massacres. 
Acts  of  black  night,  abominable  deeds, 

43.    This  is  the  pearly   etc.      man  is  a  pearl  in  a  fair  woman's 
Malone    points    out    that    this     eye.' 
alludes  to  the  proverb  :  '  A  black 


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ACT  V 


Complots  of  mischief,  treason,  villanies 
Ruthful  to  hear,  yet  piteously  performed : 
And  this  shall  all  be  buried  by  my  death, 
Unless  thou  swear  to  me  my  child  shall  live. 

Luc,  Tell  on  thy  mind ;  I  say  thy  child  shall  live. 

Aar,  Swear  that  he  shall,  and  then  I  will  begin.    70 

Luc.  Who  should  I  swear  by?  thou  believest 
no  god : 
That  granted,  how  canst  thou  believe  an  oath  ? 

Aar,  What  if  I  do  not  ?  as,  indeed,  I  do  not ; 
Yet,  for  I  know  thou  art  religious 
And  hast  a  thing  within  thee  called  conscience, 
With  twenty  popish  tricks  and  ceremonies. 
Which  I  have  seen  thee  careful  to  observe. 
Therefore  I  urge  thy  oath ;  for  that  I  know 
An  idiot  holds  his  bauble  for  a  god 
And  keeps  the  oath  which  by  that  god  he  swears,     80 
To  that  I  '11  urge  him  :  therefore  thou  shalt  vow 
By  that  same  god,  what  god  soe'er  it  be. 
That  thou  adorest  and  hast  in  reverence. 
To  save  my  boy,  to  nourish  and  bring  him  up ; 
Or  else  I  will  discover  nought  to  thee. 

Luc,  Even  by  my  god  I  swear  to  thee  I  will 

Aar,    First  know  thou,   I  begot  him   on  the 
empress. 

Ltu.  O  most  insatiate  and  luxurious  woman  ! 

Aar,  Tut,  Lucius,  this  was  but  a  deed  of  charity 
To  that  which  thou  shalt  hear  of  me  anon.  90 

Twas  her  two  sons  that  murder'd  Bassianus ; 
They  cut  thy  sister's  tongue  and  ravish'd  her 
And  cut   her  hands  and  trimm'd   her  as   thou 
saw'st. 

66.  piteously  perfomC d,  pitiful  was  part  of  the  accoutrement  of 

in  the  doing.  the  domestic  Fool,  here  identified 

79.  bauble,  the  club,  with  a  with  the  'idiot.* 
&ce  carved  on  the  end,  which         88.  luxurious,  lustful 

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Luc,    O   detestable  villain!    calFst   thou    that 
trimming  ? 

Aar,     Why,    she    was    wash'd    and    cut    and 
trimmed,  and  'twas 
Trim  sport  for  them  that  had  the  doing  of  it. 

Luc,  O  barbarous,  beastly  villains,  like  thyself  I 

Aar,  Indeed,  I  was  their  tutor  to  instruct  them  : 
That  codding  spirit  had  they  from  their  mother. 
As  sure  a  card  as  ever  won  the  set ;  zoo 

That  bloody  mind,  I  think,  they  learn'd  of  me. 
As  true  a  dog  as  ever  fought  at  head. 
Well,  let  my  deeds  be  witness  of  my  worth. 
I  trained  thy  brethren  to  that  guileful  hole 
Where  the  dead  corpse  of  Bassianus  lay : 
I  wrote  the  letter  that  thy  father  found. 
And  hid  the  gold  within  the  letter  mentioned, 
Confederate  with  the  queen  and  her  two  sons : 
And  what  not  done,  that  thou  hast  cause  to  rue. 
Wherein  I  had  no  stroke  of  mischief  in  it  ?  n© 

I  play'd  the  cheater  for  thy  father's  hand. 
And,  when  I  had  it,  drew  myself  apart 
And  almost  broke  my  heart  with  extreme  laughter : 
I  pry'd  me  through  the  crevice  of  a  wall 
When,  for  his  hand,  he  had  his  two  sons'  heads ; 
Beheld  his  tears,  and  laugh'd  so  heartily. 
That  both  mine  eyes  were  rainy  like  to  his : 
And  when  I  told  the  empress  of  this  sport. 
She  swooned  almost  at  my  pleasing  tale, 
And  for  my  tidings  gave  me  twenty  kisses.  zao 

First  Goth,  What,  canst  thou  say  all  this,  and 
never  blush  ? 

Aar,  Ay,  like  a  black  dog,  as  the  saying  is. 

Luc,  Art  thou  not  sorry  for  these  heinous  deeds  ? 

Aar,  Ay,  that  I  had  not  done  a  thousand  more. 

99.  codding,  lecherous.  attacks    the     bull's    or    bear's 

loa.  a  dog,  the  mastiff,  which     head. 

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Even  now  I  curse  the  day — and  yet,  I  think, 

Few  come  within  the  compass  of  my  curse — 

Wherein  I  did  not  some  notorious  ill, 

As  kill  a  man,  or  else  devise  his  death, 

Ravish  a  maid,  or  plot  the  way  to  do  it, 

Accuse  some  innocent  and  forswear  myself,  130 

Set  deadly  enmity  between  two  friends. 

Make  poor  men's  cattle  break  their  necks ; 

Set  fire  on  bams  and  hay-stacks  in  the  night. 

And  bid  the  owners  quench  them  with  their  tears. 

Oft  have  I  digg'd  up  dead  men  from  their  graves. 

And  set  them  upright  at  their  dear  friends'  doors, 

Even  when  their  sorrows  almost  were  forgot ; 

And  on  their  skins,  as  on  the  bark  of  trees. 

Have  with  my  knife  carved  in  Roman  letters, 

*  Let  not  your  sorrow  die,  though  I  am  dead.'  140 

Tut,  I  have  done  a  thousand  dreadful  things 

As  willingly  as  one  would  kill  a  fly. 

And  nothing  grieves  me  heartily  indeed 

But  that  I  cannot  do  ten  thousand  more. 

Luc,  Bring  down  the  devil ;  for  he  must  not  die 
So  sweet  a  death  as  hanging  presently. 

Aar.  If  there  be  devils,  would  I  were  a  devil, 
To  live  and  bum  in  everlasting  fire. 
So  I  might  have  your  company  in  hell, 
But  to  torment  you  with  my  bitter  tongue !  150 

Luc,  Sirs,  stop  his  mouth,  and  let  him  speak 
no  more. 

Enter  a  Goth. 

Third  Goth,   My   lord,  there  is  a  messenger 
from  Rome 
Desires  to  be  admitted  to  your  presence. 
Luc,  Let  him  come  near. 

145.  Bring  cUnon,  i.e.  from  the  ladder. 


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Enter  ^milius. 

Welcome,  ^milius  :  what 's  the  news  from  Rome  ? 

/EmiL  Lord  Lucius,  and  you  princes  of  the 
Goths, 
The  Roman  emperor  greets  you  all  by  me ; 
And,  for  he  understands  you  are  in  arms, 
He  craves  a  parley  at  your  father's  house, 
Willing  you  to  demand  your  hostages,  z6o 

And  they  shall  be  immediately  delivered. 

First  Goth,  What  says  our  general  ? 

Luc,  ^milius,  let  the  emperor  give  his  pledges 
Unto  my  father  and  my  uncle  Marcus, 
And  we  will  come.     March  away.  \Exeunt, 


Scene  IL     Rome.     Before  Titus's  house. 

Enter  Tamora,  Demetrius,  and  Chiron,  dis- 
f^uised. 

Tarn.  Thus,  in  this  strange  and  sad  habiliment, 
I  will  encounter  with  Andronicus, 
And  say  I  am  Revenge,  sent  from  below 
To  join  with  him  and  right  his  heinous  wrongs. 
Knock  at  his  study,  where,  they  say,  he  keeps. 
To  ruminate  strange  plots  of  dire  revenge ; 
Tell  him  Revenge  is  come  to  join  with  him. 
And  work  confrision  on  his  enemies,     \2hey  knock. 

Enter  Titus,  above. 

Tit,  Who  doth  molest  my  contemplation  ? 
Is  it  your  trick  to  make  me  ope  the  door. 
That  so  my  sad  decrees  may  fly  away. 
And  all  my  study  be  to  no  effect  ? 
You  are  deceived  :  for  what  I  mean  to  do 

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ACT  V 


See  here  in  bloody  lines  I  have  set  down ; 
And  what  is  written  shall  be  executed. 

Tarn,  Titus,  I  am  come  to  talk  with  thee. 

Tif.  No,  not  a  word ;  how  can  I  grace  my  talk. 
Wanting  a  hand  to  give  it  action  ? 
Thou  hast  the  odds  of  me ;  therefore  no  more. 

Tarn.  If  thou  didst  know  me,  thou  wouldest 
talk  with  me. 

Tif.  I  am  not  mad ;  I  know  thee  well  enough : 
Witness  this  wretched  stump,  witness  these  crim- 
son lines ; 
Witness  these  trenches  made  by  grief  and  care ; 
Witness  the  tiring  day  and  heavy  night ; 
Witness  all  sorrow,  that  I  know  thee  well 
For  our  proud  empress,  mighty  Tamora : 
Is  not  thy  coming  for  my  other  hand  ? 

Tarn,  Know,  thou  sad  man,  I  am  not  Tamora ; 
She  is  thy  enemy,  and  I  thy  friend : 
I  am  Revenge ;  sent  from  the  infernal  kingdom. 
To  ease  the  gnawing  vulture  of  thy  mind, 
By  working  wreakful  vengeance  on  thy  foes. 
Come  down,  and  welcome  me  to  this  world's  light ; 
Confer  with  me  of  murder  and  of  death  : 
There 's  not  a  hollow  cave  or  lurking-place. 
No  vast  obscurity  or  misty  vale, 
Where  bloody  murder  or  detested  rape 
Can  couch  for  fear,  but  I  will  find  them  out ; 
And  in  their  ears  tell  them  my  dreadful  name. 
Revenge,  which  makes  the  foul  offender  quake. 

Tit  Art  thou  Revenge  ?  and  art  thou  sent  to  me, 
To  be  a  torment  to  mine  enemies  ? 

Tarn.  I  am;  therefore  come  down,  and  wel- 
come me. 

Tit  Do  me  some  service,  ere  I  come  to  thee. 
Lo,  by  thy  side  where  Rape  and  Murder  stands ; 
Now  give  some  surance  that  thou  art  Revenge, 

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Stab  them,  or  tear  them  on  thy  chariot-wheels ; 

And  then  1 11  come  and  be  thy  waggoner, 

And  whirl  along  with  thee  about  the  globe. 

Provide  thee  two  proper  palfreys,  black  as  jet,  50 

To  hale  thy  vengeful  waggon  swift  away, 

And  find  out  murderers  in  their  guilty  caves  : 

And  when  thy  car  is  loaden  with  their  heads, 

I  will  dismount,  and  by  the  waggon-wheel 

Trot,  like  a  servile  footman,  all  day  long. 

Even  from  Hyperion's  rising  in  the  east 

Until  his  very  downfall  in  the  sea : 

And  day  by  day  I  '11  do  this  heavy  task, 

So  thou  destroy  Rapine  and  Murder  there. 

Tarn.  These  are  my  ministers,  and  come  with  me.   60 

Tit  Are  these  thy  ministers?  what  are  they 
called? 

Tarn,  Rapine  and  Murder ;  therefore  called  so. 
Cause  they  take  vengeance  of  such  kind  of  men. 

Tit  Good  Lord,  how  like  the  empress*  sons 
they  are ! 
And  you,  the  empress !  but  we  worldly  men 
Have  miserable,  mad,  mistaking  eyes. 

0  sweet  Revenge,  now  do  I  come  to  thee ; 
And,  if  one  arm's  embracement  will  content  thee, 

1  will  embrace  thee  in  it  by  and  by.     \Exit  above. 

Tarn,  This  closing  with  him  fits  his  lunacy  :  70 

Whatever  I  forge  to  feed  his  brain-sick  fits, 
Do  you  uphold  and  maintain  in  your  speeches, 
For  now  he  firmly  takes  me  for  Revenge ; 
And,  being  credulous  in  this  mad  thought, 
I  '11  make  him  send  for  Lucius  his  son  ; 
And,  whilst  I  at  a  banquet  hold  him  sure, 
1 11  find  some  cunning  practice  out  of  hand, 
To  scatter  and  disperse  the  giddy  Goths, 
Or,  at  the  least,  make  them  his  enemies. 
See,  here  he  comes,  and  I  must  ply  my  theme.         80 

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Efiter  Titus  below. 

Tit  Long  have  I  been  forlorn,  and  all  for  thee : 
Welcome,  dread  Fury,  to  my  woful  house : 
Rapine  and  Murder,  you  are  welcome  too. 
How  like  the  empress  and  her  sons  you  are ! 
Well  are  you  fitted,  had  you  but  a  Moor : 
Could  not  all  hell  afford  you  such  a  devil  ? 
For  well  I  wot  the  empress  never  wags 
But  in  her  company  there  is  a  Moor ; 
And,  would  you  represent  our  queen  aright, 
It  were  convenient  you  had  such  a  devil :  90 

But  welcome,  as  you  are.     What  shall  we  do  ? 

Tarn,  What  wouldst  thou  have  us  do,  Andro- 
nicus? 

Dent,  Show  me  a  murderer,  I  '11  deal  with  him. 

Chi,  Show  me  a  villain  that  hath  done  a  rape. 
And  I  am  sent  to  be  revenged  on  him. 

Tavu  Show  me  a  thousand  that  have  done  thee 
wrong. 
And  I  will  be  revenged  on  them  all. 

Tit  Look  round  about  the  wicked  streets  of 
Rome; 
And  when  thou  find'st  a  man  that 's  like  thyself, 
Good  Murder,  stab  him ;  he 's  a  murderer.  100 

Go  thou  with  him ;  and  when  it  is  thy  hap 
To  find  another  that  is  like  to  thee, 
Good  Rapine,  stab  him ;  he 's  a  ravisher. 
Go  thou  with  them ;  and  in  the  emperor's  court 
There  is  a  queen,  attended  by  a  Moor ; 
Well  mayst  thou  know  her  by  thy  own  proportion, 
For  up  and  down  she  doth  resemble  thee : 
I  pray  thee,  do  on  them  some  violent  death ; 
They  have  been  violent  to  me  and  mine. 

Tam,  Well  hast  thou  lesson'd  us;  this  shall  we  do.  no 
107.  up  and  daunt,  from  head  to  foot. 
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But  would  it  please  thee,  good  Andronicus, 

To  send  for  Lucius,  thy  thrice-valiant  son, 

Who  leads  towards  Rome  a  band  of  warlike  Goths, 

And  bid  him  come  and  banquet  at  thy  house ; 

When  he  is  here,  even  at  thy  solemn  feast, 

I  will  bring  in  the  empress  and  her  sons, 

The  emperor  himself  and  all  thy  foes ; 

And  at  thy  mercy  shall  they  stoop  and  kneel, 

And  on  them  shalt  thou  ease  thy  angry  heart. 

What  says  Andronicus  to  this  device  ? 

Tit  Marcus,  my  brother !  'tis  sad  Titus  calls. 

Enter  Marcus. 

Go,  gentle  Marcus,  to  thy  nephew  Lucius ; 
Thou  shalt  inquire  him  out  among  the  Goths : 
Bid  him  repair  to  me,  and  bring  with  him 
Some  of  the  chiefest  princes  of  the  Goths ; 
Bid  him  encamp  his  soldiers  where  they  are : 
Tell  him  the  emperor  and  the  empress  too 
Feast  at  my  house,  and  he  shall  feast  with  them. 
This  do  thou  for  my  love ;  and  so  let  him. 
As  he  regards  his  aged  father's  life. 

Marc.  This  will  I  do,  and  soon  return  again. 

\Exit 

Tarn.  Now  will  I  hence  about  thy  business, 
And  take  my  ministers  along  with  me. 

Tit  Nay,    nay,    let    Rape   and    Murder  stay 
with  me ; 
Or  else  I  '11  call  my  brother  back  again. 
And  cleave  to  no  revenge  but  Lucius. 

Tarn,  [Aside  to  her  sons\  What  say  you,  boys  ? 
will  you  bide  with  him. 
Whiles  I  go  tell  my  lord  the  emperor 
How  I  have  govern'd  our  determined  jest  ? 
Yield  to  his  humour,  smooth  and  speak  him  fair. 
And  tarry  with  him  till  I  turn  again. 

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Tit  [Aside]    I   know   them   all,    though   they 
suppose  me  mad, 
And  will  o'erreach  them  in  their  own  devices : 
A  pair  of  cursed  hell-hounds  and  their  dam  ! 

Dem.  Madam,  depart  at  pleasure ;  leave  us  here. 

Tarn,  Farewell,  Andronicus :  Revenge  now  goes 
To  lay  a  complot  to  betray  thy  foes. 

Tit  I  know  thou  dost;  and,  sweet  Revenge, 
farewell  [Exif  Tamora, 

Chi.  Tell  us,  old  man,  how  shall  we  be  employed  ? 

Tit  Tut,  I  have  work  enough  for  you  to  do.       150 
Publius,  come  hither,  Caius,  and  Valentine ! 

Enter  Publius  and  others. 

Pub,  What  is  your  will  ? 

Tit,  Know  you  these  two  ? 

Pub,  The  empress*  sons,  I  take  them,  Chiron 
and  Demetrius. 

Tit  Fie,  Publius,  fie !  thou  art  too  much  deceived; 
The  one  is  Murder,  Rape  is  the  other's  name ; 
And  therefore  bind  them,  gentle  Publius. 
Caius  and  Valentine,  lay  hands  on  them. 
Oft  have  you  heard  me  wish  for  such  an  hour,         160 
And  now  I  find  it ;  therefore  bind  them  sure. 
And  stop  their  mouths,  if  they  begin  to  cry.  \Exit 
\Publiu5^  etc,  lay  hold  on  Chiron  and 
Demetrius. 

Chi,  Villains,  forbear  !  we  are  the  empress'  sons. 

Pub.  And  therefore  do  we  what  we  are  com- 
manded. 
Stop  close  their  mouths,  let  them  not  speak  a  word. 
Is  he  sure  bound  ?  look  that  you  bind  them  fast. 

Re-enter  Titus,  with  Lavinia  ;  he  bearing  a 
knife^  and  she  a  basin. 

Tit  Come, come, Lavinia;  look,  thyfoes  are  bound. 
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Titus  Andronicus 


Sirs,  stop  their  mouths,  let  them  not  speak  to  me ; 
But  let  them  hear  what  fearful  words  I  utter. 
O  villains,  Chiron  and  Demetrius  !  170 

Here  stands  the  spring  whom  you  have  stain'd 

with  mud, 
This  goodly  summer  with  your  winter  mix'd. 
You  kiird  her  husband,  and  for  that  vile  fault 
Two  of  her  brothers  were  condemn'd  to  death, 
My  hand  cut  off  and  made  a  merry  jest ; 
Both  her  sweet  hands,  her  tongue,  and  that  more 

dear 
Than  hands  or  tongue,  her  spotless  chastity. 
Inhuman  traitors,  you  constrained  and  forced. 
What  would  you  say,  if  I  should  let  you  speak  ? 
Villains,  for  shame  you  could  not  beg  for  grace.      180 
Hark,  wretches  !  how  I  mean  to  martyr  you. 
This  one  hand  yet  is  left  to  cut  your  throats. 
Whilst  that  Lavinia  'tween  her  stumps  doth  hold 
The  basin  that  receives  your  guilty  blood. 
You  know  your  mother  means  to  feast  with  me. 
And  calls  herself  Revenge,  and  thinks  me  mad : 
Hark,  villains  !  I  will  grind  your  bones  to  dust 
And  with  your  blood  and  it  I  '11  make  a  paste, 
And  of  the  paste  a  coffin  I  will  rear 
And  make  two  pasties  of  your  shameful  heads,        190 
And  bid  that  strumpet,  your  unhallow'd  dam,    . 
Like  to  the  earth  swallow  her  own  increase. 
This  is  the  feast  that  I  have  bid  her  to. 
And  this  the  banquet  she  shall  surfeit  on ; 
For  worse  than  Philomel  you  used  my  daughter. 
And  worse  than  Progne  I  will  be  revenged : 
And  now  prepare  your  throats.     Lavinia,  come, 

[Ife  cuts  their  throats, 

189.  cq^n,  crust  (of  a  pie).         avenged    her   sister    Philomel's 
wrong  by  serving  up  to  hini  his 
196.   Progne,  wife  of  Tereus,      son  at  a  banquet. 

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Receive  the  blood :  and  when  that  they  are  dead, 

Let  me  go  grind  their  bones  to  powder  small 

And  with  this  hateful  liquor  temper  it ; 

And  in  that  paste  let  their  vile  heads  be  baked. 

Come,  come,  be  every  one  officious 

To  make  this  banquet ;  which  I  wish  may  prove 

More  stern  and  bloody  than  the  Centaurs'  feast. 

So,  now  bring  them  in,  for  I  '11  play  the  cook, 

And  see  them  ready  'gainst  their  mother  comes. 

[£xeunfy  bearing  the  dead  bodies. 


Scene  III.   Court  of  Titus's  house.     A  banquet 
set  out. 

Enter  Lucius,  Marcus,  and  Goths,  with 
Aaron  prisoner, 

Luc,  Uncle  Marcus,  since  it  is  my  father's  mind 
That  I  repair  to  Rome,  I  am  content. 

First  Goth,  And  ours  with  thine,  befall  what 
fortune  will. 

Luc,  Good  uncle,  take  you  in  this  barbarous 
Moor, 
This  ravenous  tiger,  this  accursed  devil ; 
Let  him  receive  no  sustenance,  fetter  him, 
Till  he  be  brought  unto  the  empress'  face. 
For  testimony  of  her  foul  proceedings : 
And  see  the  ambush  of  our  friends  be  strong ; 
I  fear  the  emperor  means  no  good  to  us.  xo 

Aar.  Some  devil  whisper  curses  in  mine  ear, 
And  prompt  me,  that  my  tongue  may  utter  forth 
The  venomous  malice  of  my  swelling  heart ! 

202.    officious,    zealously   ac-  the   Lapithae   at  the  marriage 

live.  feast  of  Pirithous. 

204.   the  Centaurs*  feast,  the  3.  ours  with  thine,  it  is  our 

battle  between  the  Centaurs  and  mind  as  well  as  yours. 

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Luc,  Away,  inhuman  dog !  unhallow'd  slave ! 
Sirs,  help  our  uncle  to  convey  him  in. 

\Exeunt  Goths^  with  Aaron.     Flourish  within. 
The  trumpets  show  the  emperor  is  at  hand. 

Enter  Saturninus  and  Tamora,  with  -^mi- 
Lius,  Tribunes,  Senators,  and  others. 

Sat,  What,  hath  the  firmament  more  suns  than 

one? 
Luc,  What  boots  it  thee  to  call  thyself  a  sun  ? 
Marc,  Rome's   emperor,   and    nephew,    break 
the  parle ! 
These  quarrels  must  be  quietly  debated.  ao 

The  feast  is  ready,  which  the  careful  Titus 
Hath  ordain'd  to  an  honourable  end. 
For  peace,  for  love,  for  league,  and  good  to  Rome : 
Please  you,  therefore,  draw  nigh,  and  take  your 
places. 
Sat,  Marcus,  we  will. 

[Hautboys  sound.     The  Company  sit  down  at 

table. 

Enter  Titus  dressed  like  a  Cooky  Lavinia  veiled^ 
young  Lucius,  and  others,  Titus  places  the 
dishes  on  the  table. 

Tit.  Welcome,    my    gracious    lord ;    welcome, 
dread  queen ; 

Welcome,  ye  warlike  Goths ;  welcome,  Lucius ; 

And  welcome,  all :  although  the  cheer  be  poor, 

Twill  fill  your  stomachs ;  please  you  eat  of  it 

Sat,  Why  art  thou  thus  attired,  Andronicus  ?        30 
Tit,  Because  I  would  be  sure  to  have  all  well. 

To  entertain  your  highness  and  your  empress. 

19.  break  the  parle »  break  ofif  and  Dyce,  suits  the  context 
this  angry  discussion.  This  better  than  Johnson's  '  open  the 
rendering,  proposed  by  Douce     parley.' 

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ACTV 


Tarn,  We  are  beholding  to  you,  good  Andro- 
nicus. 
Tit  An  if  your  highness  knew  my  heart,  you 
were. 
My  lord  the  emperor,  resolve  me  this  : 
Was  it  well  done  of  rash  Virginius 
To  slay  his  daughter  with  his  own  right  hand, 
Because  she  was  enforced,  stain'd,  and  deflowered  ? 
Sat  It  was,  Andronicus. 

Tit  Your  reason,  mighty  lord  ?  ^ 

Sat  Because  the  girl  should  not  survive  her 
shame, 
And  by  her  presence  still  renew  his  sorrows. 

Tit  A  reason  mighty,  strong,  and  effectual ; 
A  pattern,  precedent,  and  lively  warrant. 
For  me,  most  wretched,  to  perform  the  like. 
Die,  die,  Lavinia,  and  thy  shame  with  thee ; 

[Kills  Lavinia. 
And,  with  thy  shame,  thy  father's  sorrow  die  1 
Sat  What  hast  thou  done,  unnatural  and  un- 
kind? 
Tit  Kiird  her,  for  whom  my  tears  have  made 
me  blind. 
I  am  as  woful  as  Virginius  was,  50 

And  have  a  thousand  times  more  cause  than  he 
To  do  this  outrage :  and  it  now  is  done. 

Sat  What,  was  she  ravished  ?  tell  who  did  the 

deed. 
Tit  Wiirt  please  you  eat?  will't  please  your 

highness  feed  ? 
Tarn.  Why  hast  thou  slain  thine  only  daughter 

thus? 
Tit  Not  I ;  'twas  Chiron  and  Demetrius  : 

38.  Because  she  was  enforced,  with  that  of  Lucretia.  So  v.  41. 
etc.  This  seems  to  rest  upon  a  44.  lively,  living,  actual ;  not 
confusion  of  the  story  of  Virginia    merely  one  recorded  in  literature. 

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They  ravish'd  her,  and  cut  away  her  tongue ; 
And  they,  'twas  they,  that  did  her  all  this  wrong. 
Sat  Go  fetch  them  hither  to  us  presently. 
Tit.  Why,  there  they  are  both,  baked  in  that  pie ;  60 
Whereof  their  mother  daintily  hath  fed. 
Eating  the  flesh  that  she  herself  hath  bred. 
*Tis  true,  'tis  true ;  witness  my  knife's  sharp  point. 

[Kills  Tamora, 
Sat  Die,  frantic  wretch,  for  this  accursed  deed ! 

[Kills  Titus. 
Luc.  Can  the  son's  eye  behold  his  father  bleed  ? 
There 's  meed  for  meed,  death  for  a  deadly  deed  ! 
[Kills  Saturninus.     A  great  tumult 
Lucius^  MarcuSy  and  others  go  up 
into  the  balcony. 
Marc.  You  sad-faced  men,  people  and  sons  of 
Rome, 
By  uproar  sever'd,  like  a  flight  of  fowl 
Scatter'd  by  winds  and  high  tempestuous  gusts, 
O,  let  me  teach  you  how  to  knit  again  70 

This  scatter'd  corn  into  one  mutual  sheaf. 
These  broken  limbs  again  into  one  body ; 
Lest  Rome  herself  be  bane  unto  herself. 
And  she  whom  mighty  kingdoms  court'sy  to. 
Like  a  forlorn  and  desperate  castaway. 
Do  shameful  execution  on  herself. 
But  if  my  frosty  signs  and  chaps  of  age. 
Grave  witnesses  of  true  experience. 
Cannot  induce  you  to  attend  my  words, 
\To  Lucius']  Speak,   Rome's  dear  friend,  as  erst 

our  ancestor,  80 

When  with  his  solemn  tongue  he  did  discoiurse 
To  love-sick  Dido's  sad  attending  ear 
The  story  of  that  baleful  burning  night 

73.  Lest  Rome.     Capell's  emendation.     Qq  Ff  Let  Rome. 
77.  chaps,  deep  furrows. 

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ACT  T 


When  subtle  Greeks  surprised  King  Priam's  Troy, 
Tell  us  what  Sinon  hath  bewitch'd  our  ears, 
Or  who  hath  brought  the  fatal  engine  in 
That  gives  our  Troy,  our  Rome,  the  civil  wound. 
My  heart  is  not  compact  of  flint  nor  steel ; 
Nor  can  I  utter  all  our  bitter  grief, 
But  floods  of  tears  will  drown  my  oratory. 
And  break  my  utterance,  even  in  the  time 
When  it  should  move  you  to  attend  me  most, 
Lending  your  kind  commiseration. 
Here  is  a  captain,  let  him  tell  the  tale ; 
Your  hearts  will  throb  and  weep   to   hear  him 
speak. 
Luc,  Then,  noble  auditory,  be  it  known  to  you. 
That  cursed  Chiron  and  Demetrius 
Were  they  that  murdered  our  emperor's  brother ; 
And  they  it  were  that  ravished  our  sister : 
For  their  fell  faults  our  brothers  were  beheaded ;    \ 
Our  father's  tears  despised,  and  basely  cozen'd 
Of  that  true  hand  that  fought  Rome's  quarrel  out. 
And  sent  her  enemies  unto  the  grave. 
Lastly,  myself  unkindly  banished. 
The  gates  shut  on  me,  and  turn'd  weeping  out. 
To  beg  relief  among  Rome's  enemies  ; 
Who  drown'd  their  enmity  in  my  true  tears. 
And  oped  their  arms  to  embrace  me  as  a  friend. 
I  am  the  turned  forth,  be  it  known  to  you. 
That  have  preserved  her  welfare  in  my  blood ; 
And  from  her  bosom  took  the  enemy's  point, 
Sheathing  the  steel  in  my  adventurous  body. 
Alas,  you  know  I  am  no  vaunter,  I ; 
My  scars  can  witness,  dumb  although  they  are. 
That  my  report  is  just  and  full  of  truth. 
But,  soft !  methinks  I  do  digress  too  much, 
Citing  my  worthless  praise :  O,  pardon  me ; 
For  when  no  friends  are  by,  men  praise  themselves. 

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Marc,  Now  is  my  turn  to  speak.     Behold  this 
child  :  [Pointing  to  the  Child  in  the  arms 

of  an  Attendant, 
Of  this  was  Tamora  delivered ;  i 

The  issue  of  an  irreligious  Moor, 
Chief  architect  and  plotter  of  these  woes : 
The  villain  is  alive  in  Titus'  house, 
And  as  he  is,  to  witness  this  is  true. 
Now  judge  what  cause  had  Titus  to  revenge 
These  wrongs,  unspeakable,  past  patience, 
Or  more  than  any  living  man  could  bear. 
Now  you  have  heard  the  truth,  what  say  you, 

Romans  ? 
Have  we  done  aught  amiss, — show  us  wherein. 
And,  from  the  place  where  you  behold  us  now,       3 
The  poor  remainder  of  Andronici 
Will,  hand  in  hand,  all  headlong  cast  us  down. 
And  on  the  ragged  stones  beat  forth  our  brains. 
And  make  a  mutual  closure  of  our  house. 
Speak,  Romans,  speak ;  and  if  you  say  we  shall, 
Lo,  hand  in  hand,  Lucius  and  I  will  fall 

^mil.  Come,  come,  thou  reverend  man  of  Rome, 
And  bring  our  emperor  gently  in  thy  hand, 
Lucius  our  emperor ;  for  well  I  know 
The  common  voice  do  cry  it  shall  be  so.  1 

AIL  Lucius,  all  hail,  Rome's  royal  emperor ! 

Marc.  Go,  go  into  old  Titus'  sorrowful  house, 

[To  Attendants, 
And  hither  hale  that  misbelieving  Moor, 
To  be  adjudged  some  direful  slaughtering  death. 
As  punishment  for  his  most  wicked  life. 

[Exeunt  Attendants. 

Lucius,  Marcus,  and  the  others  descend, 

AIL  Lucius,  all  hail,  Rome's  gracious  governor  ! 
Luc,  Thanks,  gentle  Romans :  may  I  govern  so, 

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ACT  V 


To  heal  Rome's  harms,  and  wipe  away  her  woe 

But,  gentle  people,  give  me  aim  awhile, 

For  nature  puts  me  to  a  heavy  task :  150 

Stand  all  aloof :  but,  uncle,  draw  you  near, 

To  shed  obsequious  tears  upon  this  trunk. 

O,  take  this  warm  kiss  on  thy  pale  cold  lips, 

[/hissing  Titus. 
These  sorrowful  drops  upon  thy  blood-stain'd  face, 
The  last  true  duties  of  thy  noble  son  ! 

Marc.  Tear  for  tear,  and  loving  kiss  for  kiss. 
Thy  brother  Marcus  tenders  on  thy  lips : 
O,  were  the  sum  of  these  that  I  should  pay 
Countless  and  infinite,  yet  would  I  pay  them  I 

Luc.  Come  hither,  boy ;  come,  come,  and  learn 

of  us  160 

To  melt  in  showers :  thy  grandsire  loved  thee  well : 
Many  a  time  he  danced  thee  on  his  knee, 
Sung  thee  asleep,  his  loving  breast  thy  pillow ; 
Many  a  matter  hath  he  told  to  thee. 
Meet  and  agreeing  with  thine  infancy  \ 
In  that  respect,  then,  like  a  loving  child. 
Shed  yet  some  small  drops  from  thy  tender  spring. 
Because  kind  nature  doth  require  it  so : 
Friends  should  associate  friends  in  grief  and  woe : 
Bid  him  farewell ;  commit  him  to  the  grave ;  170 

Do  him  that  kindness,  and  take  leave  of  him. 
Young  Liu,  O  grandsire,  grandsire !  even  with 
all  my  heart 
Would  I  were  dead,  so  you  did  live  again ! 
O  Lord,  I  cannot  speak  to  him  for  weeping ; 
My  tears  will  choke  me,  if  I  ope  my  mouth. 

Re-enter  Attendants  with  Aaron. 

^tn.  You  sad  Andronici,  have  done  with  woes  : 
Give  sentence  on  this  execrable  wretch. 
That  hath  been  breeder  of  these  dire  events, 
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8c.  Ill  Titus  Andronicus 

Luc.  Set  him  breast-deep  in  earth,  and  famish 

him; 
There  let  him  stand,  and  rave,  and  cry  for  food:     xSo 
If  any  one  relieves  or  pities  him. 
For  the  offence  he  dies.     This  is  our  doom  : 
Some  stay  to  see  him  fasten'd  in  the  earth. 

Aar.  O,  why  should  wrath  be  mute,  and  fury 

dumb? 
I  am  no  baby,  I,  that  with  base  prayers 
I  should  repent  the  evils  I  have  done : 
Ten  thousand  worse  than  ever  yet  I  did 
Would  I  perform,  if  I  might  have  my  will : 
If  one  good  deed  in  all  my  life  I  did, 
I  do  repent  it  from  my  very  soul.  190 

Luc,  Some  loving  friends  convey  the  emperor 

hence, 
And  give  him  burial  in  his  father's  grave : 
My  father  and  Lavinia  shall  forthwith 
Be  closed  in  our  household's  monument. 
As  for  that  heinous  tiger,  Tamora, 
No  funeral  rite,  nor  man  in  mourning  weeds. 
No  mournful  bell  shall  ring  her  burial ; 
But  throw  her  forth  to  beasts  and  birds  of  prey : 
Her  life  was  beast-like,  and  devoid  of  pity ; 
And,  being  so,  shall  have  like  want  of  pity.  aoo 

See  justice  done  on  Aaron,  that  damn'd  Moor, 
By  whom  our  heavy  haps  had  their  beginning : 
Then,  afterwards,  to  order  well  the  state. 
That  like  events  may  ne'er  it  ruinate.        \Exeunt 


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'  >  Franciscans. 


DRAMATIS  PERSONiE 

ESCALUS,  prince  of  Verona. 

Paris,  a  young  nobleman,  kinsman  to  the  prince. 

Montague,  \  beads  of  two  bouses  at  variance  with  each 

Capulkt,     j       other. 

An  old  man,  cousin  to  Capulet 

Romeo,  son  to  Montague. 

Mercutio.  kinsman  to  the  prince,  and  friend  to  Romea 

Benvolio,  nephew  to  Montague,  and  friend  to  Romeo. 

Tybalt,  nephew  to  Lady  Capulet. 

FRIAR  Laurence, 

Friar  John, 

Balthasar,  servant  to  Romeo. 

Peter,  servant  to  Juliet's  nurse. 

Abraham,  servant  to  Montague. 

An  Apothecary. 

Three  Musicians. 

Page  to  Paris ;  another  Page ;  an  Officer. 

Lady  Montague,  wife  to  Montague. 
Lady  Capulet,  wife  to  Capulet 
Juliet,  daughter  to  Capulet. 
Nurse  to  Juliet 

Citizens  of  Verona ;  several  Men  and  Women,  relations  to 
both  bouses ;  Maskers,  Guards,  Watchmen,  and  Attendants. 

Chorus. 
Scene  :    Verona  ;  Mantua. 

Duration  of  Time 
(Daniel.  Tiftu  Analysis,  p.  191  f. ) 

Six  consecutive  days,  beginning  on  the  morning  of  the  first 
aiid  ending  early  on  the  morning  of  the  sixth. 

Day  I.  (Sunday)  L,  II.  1.,  2. 
,,    2.  (Monday)  II.  3.-6.,  III.  1.-4. 
..     3.  (Tuesday)  III.  5.,  IV.  1.-3. 
,.    4.  (Wednesday)  IV.  4.,  5. 
,,     5.  (Thursday)  V.  1.-3. 
,,    6.  (Friday)  ending  of  V.  3. 

Dramatis  Persona.  These  were  first  given  by  Rowe. 

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INTRODUCTION 


The  first  edition  of  Romeo  atid  Juliet  was  a  Quarto  Early 
published  in  1597,  with  the  title: —  *" 

An  I  Excellent  |  conceited  Tragedie  |  of  | 
Romeo  and  Juliet,  |  As  it  hath  been  often  (with  great 
applause)  plaid  publiquely,  by  the  right  Ho-|  nourable 
thjtla,  oi Hunsdon  \  hisSeruants.  |  London,  |  Printed 
by  John  Danter.  |  1597.  | 
-iwo  years  later  a  second  Quarto  appeared,  with 


the  title  :— 

The  I  MOST  ex-|  cellent  andlamentable  |  Tj-agedie, 
of  Romeo  |  and  Juliet,  |  Newly  corrected^  augmented^ 
and  I  amended',  \  As  it  hath  been  sundry  times  pub- 
liquely acted,  by  the  |  right  Honourable  the  Lord 
Chamberlaine  |  his  Seruants.  |  London  |  Printed  by 
Thomas  Creede,  for  Cuthbert  Burby,  and  are  to  |  be 
sold  at  his  shop  neare  the  Exchange.  |  1599.  | 

A  third  Quarto  was  published  in  1609,  *as  it  hath 
been  sundry  times  publiquely  acted  by  the  Kings 
Maiesties  Seruants  at  the  Globe ' ;  a  fourth,  undated 
(but  probably  later  than  1623),  with  the  name  *W. 
Shakespeare '  for  the  first  time  mentioned  on  the  title- 
page,  in  some  copies.     A  fifth  appeared  in  1637. 

The  First  Folio  was  printed  from  the  Third  Quarto, 
with  a  number  of  minute  changes  *  some  accidental, 
some  deliberate,  but  all  generally  for  the  worse, 
excepting  the  changes  in  punctuation  and  in  the 

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Romeo  and  Juliet 

stage  directions'  which  are  usually  for  the   better 
(Camb.  edd.). 

The  principal  textual  problem  of  the  play  concerns 
the  relation  of  the  first  two  Quartos.  All  critics  agree 
that  the  First  Quarto  is  a  pirated  text,  made  up  from 
notes  taken  in  the  theatre,  eked  out  by  occasional 
access  to  the  MS.  The  great  majority  of  its  countless 
divergences  from  the  other  Qq  can  be  accounted  for, 
as  the  school  of  Mommsen  would  account  for  all,  by 
omission,  mutilation,^  or  botching.*  Some  of  the  most 
superb  passages  are  so  far  preserved  that  we  can  be 
certain  they  existed  entire  in  the  play  as  performed 
in  1597.  In  a  certain  proportion  of  cases  the  First 
Quarto  even  preserves  readings  palpably  more  genuine 
than  those  of  the  Second,  and  every  editor  has  ad- 
mitted more  or  fewer  of  them  into  his  text.^  But  a 
considerable  residue  tends  to  confirm  the  assertion  of 
the  title-page  of  the  Second  Quarto,  that  its  text  was 
*  newly  corrected,  augmented,  and  amended'  The 
Cambridge  editors,  while  expressing  their  general 
accord  with  Mommsen's  view,  yet  demur  in  the  one 

^  A  good    instance    (out   of  gance)  by  R.  Gericke,  /.  B.  xiv. 

scores)  is  iii.  i.  202,  where  the  207.     A  parallel  edition  of  the 

genuine   'Mercy  but  murders,  two  texts  has  also  been  issued 

pardoning  those  that  kill/  be-  by  Mr.  P.  A.  Daniel  (New  Sk, 

comes  :  *  Mercy  to  all  but  miu--  Society,  1874). 
derers,  pardoning  none  that  kill. ' 

*  Tycho  Mommsen :   Shake-         •  Thus  several  entire  yerses 

speare's Romeo  und Julia  (i%sg),  (e.g.  L  4.  7,  8)  are  only  found 

an  exemplary  critical  edition  of  in    Q^.      Examples    of   clearly 

the  two  texts  printed  face  to  face,  genuine  readings  confined  to  Q^ 

Mommsen's  too  peremptory  re-  are  ii.   i.   13,   '  Cupid,  he  that 

jection  of  the  revision  theory  has  shot  so  trim '  ('  true '  Qq  Ff) ; 

tended   to   make    this    attitude  iii.  i.  129,  'Jire-eyedixxcY*  {'hxe 

orthodox  hi  Germany  in  the  an-  end '  Qg,  '  fire  and '  Ff.) ;  iii.  5. 

alogons  case  of  Hamlet,  where  182,  *  nobly  train.' d'  (Qj  'liand,' 

that  theory  hasstill  firmer  ground.  Q,  Ff  •allied'),  etc.     Q^  gives 

His  uncompromising  advocacy  Mercutio's  Queen   Mab  speech 

of  the  Second  Quarto  has  been  in  verse :   all  the  other  Qq  in 

supported  (not  without  exteava-  prose. 

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instance  of  ii.  6.  16-37, — the  meeting  of  Romeo  and 
Juliet  at  the  Friar's  cell, — though  they  *  know  of  no 
other  passage  of  equal  length  where  the  same  can  be 
affirmed  with  certainty.'  The  divergence  here  is 
indeed  startling.  Here  are  a  few  Unes  from  the 
dialogue  of  the  lovers  in  Q^ : — 

Jul.  Romeo. 

Rom.  My  Juliet  welcome.     As  do  waking  eyes 
Closed  in  Night's  mists  attend  the  frolick  Day, 
So  Romeo  hath  expected  Juliet, 
And  thou  art  come. 

Jul.  I  am,  if  I  be  Day, 

Come  to  my  Sun  :  shine  forth  and  make  me  fair. 

Rom,  All  beauteous  fairness  dwelleth  in  thine  eyes. 

Jul.  Romeo,  from  thine  all  brightness  doth  arise. 

Fri,  Come,  wantons,  come,  the  stealing  hours  do  pass. 
Defer  embracements  till  some  fitter  time. 
Part  for  a  while,  you  shall  not  be  alone 
Till  holy  Church  have  joined  ye  both  in  one. 

Rom,  Lead,  holy  Father,  all  delay  seems  long. 

Jul,  Make  haste,  make  haste,  this  lingering  doth  us  wrong. 

Compare  this  with  the  later  dialogue : — 

Jul.  Good  even  to  my  ghostly  confessor. 

Fri,  L,  Romeo  shall  thank  thee,  daughter,  for  us  both. 

Jul,  As  much  to  him,  else  is  his  thanks  too  much. 

Rom,  Ah,  Juliet,  if  the  measure  of  thy  joy 
Be  heap'd  like  mine  and  that  thy  skill  be  more 
To  blazon  it,  then  sweeten  with  thy  breath 
This  neighbour  air,  and  let  rich  music's  tongue 
Unfold  the  imagined  happiness  that  both 
Receive  in  either  by  this  dear  encounter. 

////.  Conceit,  more  rich  in  matter  than  in  words. 
Brags  of  his  substance,  not  of  ornament : 
They  are  but  beggars  that  can  count  their  worth ; 
But  my  true  love  is  grown  to  such  excess 
I  cannot  sum  up  sum  of  half  my  wealth. 

Fri.  L,  Come,  come  with  me,  and  we  will  make  short  work  ; 
For,  by  your  leaves,  you  shall  not  stay  alone 
Till  holy  church  incorporate  two  in  one. 

The  two  dialogues  do  not  differ  merely  in  expres- 
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siveness  and  effect;  they  embody  different  concep- 
tions of  the  lovers'  character,  and  even  of  the 
psychology  of  love.  In  the  first  they  fling,  to  and 
fro  light  lyric  phrases  of  love-longing ;  in  the  second 
they  thrill  with  a  passion  too  deep  for  utterance. 

A  few  passages  in  the  final  text  have  perhaps 
survived  from  a  *  Romeo  and  Juliet'  conceived 
throughout  in  the  slighter  and  more  conventional 
manner  of  the  first  passage :  eg,  Juliet's  antithetical 
see-saw  in  iii.  2.  yj: — 

Beautiful  tyrant !  fiend  angelical  ! 
Dove-feather'd  raven  !  wolvish-ravening  lamb  ! 

and  Romeo's  extravagance  in  iii.  3.     But  it  is  futile 
.to  attempt  to  distinguish  these  by  a  comparison  of 
the  two  Quartos.^ 

On  the  other  hand,  it  is  impossible  to  attribute  to 
Shakespeare  the  rude  travesty  offered  by  the  First 
Quarto  of  the  lamentations  over  Juliet  (iv.  5.).  Even 
in  the  Qq  and  Ff  the  naive  iterativeness  of  simple 
mourners  is  carried  to  the  verge  of  the  grotesque; 
in  Qj  the  writer  rings  the  changes  on  a  few  stock 
phrases  of  the  tragic  stage,  themselves  ignorantly 
mutilated.  *  Cruel,  unjust,  impartial  destinies '  is  the 
burden  of  Capulet's  cry. 
German  The  theory  of  an  earlier  form  of  the  play  receives 

i6^r°        ^^  support  from  the  German  version  acted  by  the 
English  players,  under  the  title  *  Von  Romeo  undth 

^  How  futile  is  apparent  from  equal  to  the  emergency.  •  So 
the  expedients  to  which  Brandes  little  did  it  jar  upon  Shake- 
finds  himself  reduced  in  his  bold  speare, '  he  explains, '  that  Romeo 
revival  of  the  'first  sketch 'theory  in  the  original  text  should  thus 
(Shakespeare,  £.  T.  p.  91).  An-  apostrophise  love  [i.  i.  184  f.], 
other  passage  in  this  antithetic  that  in  the  course  of  revision  be 
style  (i.  I.  184  f.)is  omitted  in  must  needs  place  in  Juliet's 
Qi ;  while  that  just  quoted  (iii.  mouth  these  quite  analogous 
3*  75>  76)  is  retained.  Brandes  is  ejaculations  [iii  2.  75].' 

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Julitha,'  at  Nordlingen,  1604,  as  'Tragoedia  von 
Romeo  und  Julia,*  at  Dresden,  1626,  and  elsewhere 
in  Geri|iany.  The  extant  version  is,  according  to 
Creizenach,  *  obviously  of  the  latter  half  of  the  seven- 
teenth century,  and  local  allusions  indicate  Austria. 
...  It  was  clearly  not  taken  from  the  First  Quarto 
of  1 597,  but  from  the  current  text ;  cf.  esp.  iii.  i.'  (JDie 
Schauspiele  der  englischen  ComoedianUn^  Einl.  xlL).^ 

The  probability  that  the  play  underwent  some  Date  of 
kind  of  revision  between  1597  and  1599  gives  us  ^0™^*°** 
little  help  in  approaching  the  difficult  problem  of  its 
original  date.  The  most  definite  datum  we  have  is 
the  sonnet  *Ad  Gulielmum  Shakespeare'  in  which 
John  Weever,  probably  in  1595,  enumerated,  among 
Shakespeare's  famous  characters 

Romeoy  Richard,  more  whose  names  I  know  not, 
Their  sugred  tongues  and  power  attractive  beuty. 

Certain  straws  of  evidence  point  towards  an  earlier 
date.  The  Nurse's  allusion  to  the  earthquake  (i.  3. 
23)  suggests  1 591;  and  Daniel  possibly  caught  a 
phrase  or  two  of  his  description  of  the  dead 
Rosamond  ^ — 

Decayed  roses  of  discoloured  cheeks 

Do  yet  retain  dear  notes  of  former  grace. 

And  ugly  death  sits  fair  within  her  face — 

from  Romeo's  wonderful  dying  hymn  to  Juliet ;  which 

^  Mr.  Fleay,  however,  knows  And  deatKs  paU  Jlag  is  not  ad- 
that     the     German     play    was  vanced  there, 

*  founded  on  Shakespeare's  play  with  Ros,  773  : — 
of   1591'    (Life    and    Work   of  And  nought-respecting  death.  .  . 

Shcikespeare,  p.  308).  Plac'd  his  pale  colours  (th'  ensigne 

a    Complaint    of   Rosamond,  -.    of  his  might) 

1592.    A  still  clearer  parallelism  ^P°"  ^"^  "^""^^^  ^^'^' 

is  Rom,  and  Jul  v.  3.  94  :—  Also  Rom.  and  Jul.  v.   3.  112 


in 


h<^«Mr*,  ^cw  v.f  '°3.  92.  93.  108,  with  Ros.  834. 

S^^lTpJ  ^n^Vhy     ?4o.  841.  845.  851.  respecUvely. 


cheeks,  L. 

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would  place  the  play  before  1592.  But  the  arith- 
metic of  the  Nurse  is  an  insecure  trust,  and  if  it  were 
surer,  it  is  very  doubtful  whether  it  has  any  bearing 
upon  the  date  of  the  play.  Grant  that  Juliet's  age 
was  to  be  fourteen,  and  that  the  story  of  her  weaning 
and  the  earthquake  had  been  independently  imagined, 
the  number  of  years  which  had  passed  since  the 
earthquake  would  in  any  case  be  eleven  or  thereabouts. 
And  though  Daniel  had  the  reputation  of  making 
undue  use  of  others'  (and  notably  of  Shakespeare's) 
wit,  it  is  to  be  considered  that  the  fine  trait  of  the 
lingering  'roses'  in  the  cheeks  of  the  dead  Rosa- 
mond lay  pretty  near  at  hand  for  a  poet  prone  to 
jday  choicely  with  his  heroine's  name : — 

Rose  of  the  world,  that  sweetened  so  the  same. 

On  the  other  hand,  many  indications  point  to  a 
date  nearer  to  that  of  Weever's  sonnet.  Weever 
himself  associates  it  with  the  Lucrece  and  the  Venus^ 
as  well  as  with  *  Richard ' — ^alone  of  all  the  dramas. 
It  is  in  fact  linked  both  with  the  poems  and  with 
Richard  Il.y  as  well  as  with  the  Midsummer'Nighfs 
Dream^  by  the  lyric  style  and  the  lyric  conception  of 
character,  as  well  as  by  many  striking  echoes  of 
phrase  and  motive.^ 

The  characteristic  speech  of  Romeo  and  Juliet  is 
a  lyric  speech,  exhausting  the  last  possibilities  of  ex- 
pression, but  not  yet,   like  the  speech  of  Hamlet, 

^  Sarrazin  has  compared  Ju-  We  will  revenge  the  death  of  this 
liet's  appeal  to  the  Friar —  ^^e  «^'«- 

out  of  thy  long-experienced  thne,  Where    it    is   to  be  noted  that 

GivejnCjSome  present  counsel,  or,  juUet's  intention  to  stab  herself 

'TwUt  my  extremes  and   me   this  »  not  taken  from  Brooke.     Can 

bloody  knife  this  have  been  suggested  by  the 

Shall  pUy  the  umpire-  Lucrece  story  ?  (/.  B,  xxix.  103). 

wii^Lucreu,  1 1840, ' .  . .  by  this  Parallels  to  the   sonnets    have 

bloody  knife '  (in  which  Lucrece  been  pointed  out  by  Isaac,  /.  B, 

has  stabbed  herself)  xix.  187. 

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opening  up  mysterious  vistas  of  the  unexpressed,  or 
responsive  to  the  finer  nuances  of  souls.  At  exalted 
times  it  even  assumes  lyric  form ;  and  Gervinus  has 
pointed  out  that  the  lovers  exchange  their  first  greet- 
ings in  a  sonnet,  that  Juliet  utters  her  own  epithalamum 
or  marriage  hymn  (iii.  2.),  and  that  the  lyric  dialogue 
of  the  lovers  as  they  part  at  dawn  echoes  in  every- 
thing but  its  unique  splendour  of  poetry  the  *  dawn 
song'  {albay  Tagelied)  of  mediaeval  poetry.^  The 
evidence  thus  points  to  1594-5  as  the  time  at  which 
Romeo  and  Juliet  was  substantially  composed,  though 
it  is  tolerably  certain  that  some  parts  of  our  present 
text  were  written  as  late  as  1596-8,  and  possible  that 
others  are  as  early  as  1591. 

The  story  of  Romeo  and  Juliet,  as  Shakespeare  source  of 
found  it,  was  already  a  work  of  art,  refined  and  ^*  ^^^^ 
elaborated  by  the  shaping  fancy  of  several  generations. 
Particular  features  in  it  have  far-reaching  parallels*: 
the  legendary  poison  which  produces  apparent 
death;  the  love  between  children  of  hostile  houses. 
The  so-called  *  Neapolitan  Boccaccio,'  Massuccio,  m 
his  NovellinOy  1476,  used  the  device  of  the  poison  to 
deliver  his  heroine  from  a  peril  like  that  which 
threatens  Juliet;  but  his  lovers  have  other  names, 
live  in  Siena,  and  are  embarrassed  by  no  family  feuds. 
Luigi  da  Porto  was  the  first  to  localise  the  romance 
in  Verona,  to  call  the  lovers  Romeo  and  Giulietta, 
and  to  entangle  their  destinies  in  the  conflicts  of 
noble  families.^     Da  Porto's  novel  was  widely  read 

1  How  did  Shakespeare  be-  \rs.\A'&  Shakespeare und das  Tage- 

come  acquainted  with  this  me-  lied.     Frfinkel  supposes  Shake- 

diaeval  lyric  form,  whose  home  speare  to  have  been  introduced 

was  among  the  Troubadours  and  to  the  German  Tagelied  by  the 

Minnestoger  ?  The  problem  Hanseatic  merchants  of  London, 
has    keenly  exercised    German         *  That  the  story  is  not  histori- 

scholars,  and  is  discussed  with  cal   is   now  recognised.      The 

profuse  learning  but  without  Tery  historian  of  Verona,  Girolamo 

definite  result  by  LudwigFHinkel  de  la  Corte  (1594),  who  relates 

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in  Italy,  and  presently  inspired  more  pretentious 
versions  of  the  story.  Gherardo  Boldiero  sang  in  an 
epic  poem  (published  1553)  of  *the  unhappy  love  of 
two  faithful  lovers  Giulia  and  Romeo,'  and  the  blind 
dramatist  Groto  turned  it  into  a  tf agedy,  ffcuiriana. 
Both  these  ambitious  pieces,  however,  were  of  trifling 
importance  compared  with  the  skilfully  elaborated 
prose  version  of  the  story  published  in  1554  by  the 
novelist  Bandello.  Bandello  added  a  number  of 
dramatic  traits,  motives,  and  minor  personages : 
Romeo's  Mentor — Benvolio,  the  Nurse,  the  love  at 
first  sight,  the  rope-ladder,  and  Juliet's  vision  of  the 
horrors  of  the  vault.  In  Bandello's  version  the  story 
first  gained  currency  beyond  the  Alps  and  the 
Pyrenees.^  In  France  it  was  translated,  with  several 
significant  changes,  by  Boaistuau  in  the  Histaires 
Tragiques  (1559).^  In  Spain  it  provided  Lope  de 
Vega  with  the  materials  of  a  tragi-comedy  Castelvines 
y  Monteses,  and  somewhat  later  was  dramatised  by 


it  as  having  happened  there  in  transferred  to  the  Morea,  and  the 

1303,  merely  took  it  from  the  names  of  the  persons  changed : 

novelist  Bandello.      The   Mon-  the  lovers,  e.g.,  are  called  Hal- 

tecchi  and  Cappelletti  were  his-  quadrich  and  Burglipha. 
torical  families  of  Verona,  but 

belonged  to  the  same  (Ghibel-  ^  Thus  (i)  the  rope-ladder, 

line)  party  ;  and  as  such,  not  as  which  in   Bsindello  had  served 

enemies,  they  are  mentioned  to-  only  for  an  interview,  is  put  to 

gether  in  a  famous  line  ( •  Vieni  the  purpose  which  it  serves  in 

a vederMontecchie Cappelletti,'  Brooke    and  Shakespeare;    (2) 

Purg.  vi.   106)  by  Dante,  who  the  Italians  had  made  Juliet  die 

lived  in  Verona  but  a  few  years  '  of  grief '  :  Boaistuau,  less  prone 

after  the   alleged    date   of  the  to  sentiment,    makes  her   stab 

event.     But  Shakespeare's  * Es-  herself;   (3)   in  Bandello  Juliet 

calus '  doubtless  has  his  ultimate  awakes  before  Romeo  dies,  but 

origin    in    Bartolommeo    della  after  he  has  taken  the  poison ; 

Scala,    the    then    Grovemor    of  Boaistuau  makes  Romeo  die  first 

Verona.  (Schulze,  Entwickelung  derSage 

^  Adrian  Sevin  had,  as  early  von  R,  und  J. — a  minute  com- 

as  1542,  rietailed  a  substantially  parison  of  all  the  versions  ;  /.  B. 

identical  story,  with  the  scene  xi.  173  f. ). 


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Francesco  de  Rojas  in  Los  Bandos  de  Verona,^  In 
England,  Bandello's  novel  was  reproduced  in  two 
notable  versions, — the  metrical  Romeus  and  Juliet  of 
Arthur  Brooke  (i562),2  and  the  prose  translation  in  Brook©. 
Painter's  Palace  of  Pleasure  (1567).  Of  all  these 
forms  of  the  story  Shakespeare  was  probably  acquainted 
only  with  the  two  last  mentioned ;  *  and  the  poem  of 
Brooke  was  virtually  the  sole  source  of  his  own  work. 
But  the  fame  of  the  story  no  longer  depended  on 
literature  when  he  wrote:  the  pitiful  history  of 
Romeus  and  Julietta  adorned  the  hangings  of  chambers, 
and  Juliet  figured  as  a  tragic  heroine  in  the  sisterhood 
of  Dido  and  Cleopatra. 

It  was  not  for  nothing  that  an  Englishman  handled 
the  story  before  Shakespeare.  Brooke  enriched 
the  Italian  romance  with  a  series  of  homely,  realistic 


^  Both  plays  have  been  excel- 
lently translated  by  F.  W. 
Cosens. 

2  Brooke  speaks  in  his  *  Ad- 
dress to  the  Reader '  of  having 
seen  '  the  same  argument  lately 
set  forth  on  stage  with  more  com- 
mendation than  I  can  look  for.' 
A  trace  of  this  has  been  suspected 
in  the  fragments  of  a  Latin 
tragedy,  Romeus  et  Julietta,  pre- 
served in  the  British  Museum 
(Sloane  MS.  1775),  *"*  edition 
of  which  is  announced  by  Mr. 
Gollancz.  But  a  madrigal  in 
the  same  hand,  addressed  to  the 
author  of  Ignoramus  (first  per- 
formed 161 5),  and  written  in  the 
midst  of  what  is  plainly  the  ori- 
ginal MS.  of  the  drama,  makes 
it  probable  that  Shakespeare's 
tragedy  preceded  (cf.  Keller 
in  /.  B.  xxxiv.  256). 

^    Repeated    attempts    have 


been  made  to  prove  Shakespeare 
indebted  to  Groto's  Hadriana; 
most  positively  by  Walker  {JHist. 
Memoir  on  Ital.  Tragedy,  1799) 
and  Klein  {Gesch.  des  Dramas, 
V.  436).  The  passage  to  which 
they  attach  most  weight  is  the 
parting  scene  (iii.  5.),  where 
Latino  (Romeo)  bids  Hadriana 
listen  to  the  nightingale.  But 
the  whole  resemblance  reduces 
itself  to  the  nightingale,  while 
even  this  is  quite  differently  ap- 
plied. In  Groto  it  is  actually  the 
nightingale  whose  song  is  heard ; 
in  Shakespeare,  Juliet  would  fain 
beUeve  the  lark  to  be  the  night- 
ingale. Groto's  play  was  cer- 
tainly known  in  England  shortly 
after ;  Jonson,  in  Volpone,  iii.  2, 
makes  Lady  Politick  Would-be 
enumerate  •  Cieco  di  Hadria  vie 
Groto'  among  the  Italian  authors 
whom  she  has  read  (cf.  Schulze, 
Jahrbuch,  xi  197) 


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traits  congenial  to  the  English  taste  of  his  time,  most 
of  which  reappear,  transfigured,  in  the  finer  art  of 
Shakespeare.  The  poison-seller  is  already  Shake- 
speare's desperate  apothecary;  Romeo,  on  the  news 
of  his  banishment,  already  wallows  on  the  ground 
and  tears  his  hair.  Above  all,  Brooke  has  struck  out 
a  rude  but  vigorous  sketch  of  the  Nurse — ^in  Ban- 
dello  a  mere  name, — and  given  hints  which  Shake- 
speare did  not  despise : — her  rambling  garrulity  about 
Juliet's  childhood,  her  acceptance  of  Romeo's  gold 
and  prompt  desertion  of  his  cause  when  he  is 
banished. 
Shakespeare.  The  pocm,  in  fact,  contains  the  entire  material  of 
the  play,  and  the  story  of  both  might  be  summarised 
in  almost  identical  words.  But  in  Brooke  the  material 
forms  a  series  of  moving  incidents  loosely  strung 
together  in  a  rambling  narrative ;  in  Shakespeare  it 
coalesces  in  a  vital  organic  whole.  The  quarrel  of 
the  rival  houses  appears  faintly  in  the  background  of 
the  poem,  contributing  casually  to  the  lovers'  ill-luck ; 
in  the  drama  it  is  an  essential  condition  of  their 
tragic  doom.  Brooke  is  possessed  with  the  mediaeval 
faith  in  Fortune,  and  his  Romeo  and  Juliet  are 
alternately  lifted  and  depressed  at  the  bidding  of  her 
changing  moods;  in  Shakespeare  an  uncontrollable 
wind  of  destiny  sweeps  them  through  the  brief  rapture 
of  existence.  The  most  obvious  symptom  is  the 
enormously  heightened  temperature  and  quickened 
time.  In  Brooke  the  action  is  measured  by  weeks, 
in  Shakespeare  by  hours.  Brooke's  lovers  are  united 
and  live  happily  together  for  three  months;  then 
Fortune  thinks  fit  to  mingle  *  sour  with  the  sweet,' 
whereupon  Tybalt  is  introduced  to  make  an  unpro- 
voked assault  upon  Romeo.  Shakespeare  per- 
emptorily rejected  this  see-saw  of  joy  and  sorrow,  and 
made  the  fatal  brawl  and  Romeo's  banishment  occur 

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on  the  very  noontide  of  his  marriage,  so  that  the 
rapture  of  the  lovers  is  lifted  into  poetry  by  the  pathos 
of  near  parting  and  mysterious  foreboding : — 

O  God,  I  have  an  ill-divining  soul !  ^ 

This  momentous  change  is  very  simply  and  naturally 
effected.  Tybalt  is  introduced  at  Capulet's  feast ; 
Romeo  kindles  his  anger  at  the  same  moment  as 
Juliet's  love,  and  he  is  scarcely  married  when  he 
encounters  Tybalt's  vengeful  fury.  But  Shakespeare 
drew  the  toils  of  his  destiny  closer  yet.  Brooke's 
Romeo,  after  vainly  attempting  to  pacify  Tybalt,  kills 
him  in  an  access  of  militant  fury  like  his  own. 
Shakespeare's  Romeo  deals  the  blow  upon  which  the 
whole  tragic  sequel  hangs,  in  response  to  a  deeper 
and  more  inexorable  prompting.  Tybalt's  hectoring 
threats  do  not  disturb  his  self-control ;  he  intervenes 
only  to  keep  the  peace.  But  the  fiery  Mercutio  is 
not  to  be  restrained.  It  is  only  when  Mercutio  has 
got  his  mortal  hurt  in  his  behalf  that  Romeo  flings 
aside  respective  lenity  and  falls  with  fire-eyed  fury 
upon  his  friend's  slayer, — to  realise  a  moment  later 
the  abyss  into  which  his  destiny  has  betrayed  him : 
*0,  I  am  fortune's  fool!'  Then  the  prince  inter- 
venes, and  now,  once  more,  it  is  only  the  plea  that 
he  had  drawn  his  sword  in  behalf  of  Mercutio— the 
prince's  kinsman  —  which  converts  his  sentence  of 
death  to  banishment. 

Thus  Mercutio's  participation  in  this  critical 
incident  gives  it  a  far  subtler  coherence,  and  this  is 
his  chief  function  in  the  plot.  In  Brooke  his  name- 
sake merely  passes  for  a  moment  before  us  at  the 
banquet,  as 

^  Presentiments  play  anun-  of  the  Capulets  (i.  4.  106);  and 

usually  prominent  part  in  this  Friar  Laurence's  forebodings  are 

tragedy.      Premonitions   haunt  mirrored    in    Romeo's    dreams 

Romeo  as  he  steps  into  the  hall  (v.  i.  init) 

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A  courtier  that  each  where  was  highly  had  in  price, 

For  he  was  courteous  of  his  speech  and  pleasant  of  device. 

Shakespeare's  Mercutio  is  the  one  brilliant  figure  in 
that  outer  world  of  hate  which  enspheres  and  hurries 
to  its  tragic  doom  the  inner  world  of  love.  In  the 
hands  of  previous  tellers  the  story  had  gathered  one 
after  another  the  motley  figures  which  compose  this 
alien  milieu : — Bandello's  Behvolio  with  his  temperate 
counsels  against  love;  Brooke's  Nurse,  with  her 
vulgar  parody  of  it ;  and  now  Shakespeare's  Mercutio, . 
transfixing  love  with  the  shafts  of  his  C5mical  and 
reckless  wit,  a  gayer  but  not  less  effective  negation  of 
romance.  But  Shakespeare  has  made  the  other 
negations  of  calm  reason  and  of  Philistine  grossness 
sharper  and  even  more  decisive  than  he  found  them. 
The  Nurse,  the  Capulet  father  and  mother,  are  all 
recognisable  in  Brooke :  Shakespeare  alone  makes  us 
feel  the  tragic  loneliness  of  Juliet  in  their  midst ;  and 
that  not  less  by  his  ruthless  insistence  on  every  mean 
and  vulgar  trait  in  them,  than  by  the  flamelike  purity 
and  intensity  in  which  he  has  invested  Juliet  herself. 
Brooke's  Juliet  is  a  conventional  heroine  of  romance, 
distinguished  from  other  heroines  only  by  the  particular 
cast  of  her  experiences,  and  not  palpably  superior 
to  her  father,  whose  unreason  even  acquires  from 
Brooke's  rhetoric  a  certain  Roman  dignity  of  invective. 
Shakespeare's  Juliet  resembles  an  ideal  creation  of 
Raphael  or  Lionardo  environed  in  the  bustling 
domestic  scenery,  the  Flemish  plenty  and  prose,  of 
Teniers  or  Ostade.  We  are  spared  no  poignancy  of 
contrast  The  last  rich  cadences  of  the  lovers' 
dawn-song  die  into  the  bluster  of  old  Capulet ;  and 
Juliet's  sublime  *  Romeo,  I  come ! '  ^   is  immediately 

^  Juliet's  monologue  belongs  change  has  completely  trans- 
in  outline  to  Brooke;  but  formed  the  conclusion.  In 
Shakespeare  by  an  unobtru^ve     l^rooke,    alter    imagining    the 

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succeeded  by  the  rattling  of  keys  and  dishes,  and 
cooks  calling  for  dates  and  quinces  in  the  '  pastry.' 

Thus  Shakespeare  at  once  heightened  the  tragic 
antagonism  of  Romeo  and  JuHet's  world  and  the 
lyric  fervour  of  passion  which  sweeps  them  athwart  it 
The  entire  weight  of  the  tragic  effect  is  thrown  upon 
the  clashing  dissonance  of  the  human  elements.  In 
this  earliest  of  the  tragedies,  alone  among  them  all, 
there  is  no  guilt,  no  deliberate  contriving  of  harm. 
Far  from  suggesting  a  moral,  Shakespeare  seems  to 
contemplate  with  a  kind  of  fatalist  awe  the  mixture 
of  elements  from  which  so  profound  a  convulsion 
ensues.  He  eUminates  every  pretext  for  regarding 
the  catastrophe  as  a  retribution  upon  the  lovers. 
Their  love  violates  no  moral  law :  it  springs  imperi- 
ously from  their  youth,  and  Shakespeare  has  here 
significantly  gone  beyond  his  source  and  endowed 
his  Juliet  with  the  single -souled  girlhood  of  four- 
teen ;  ^  neither  of  them  dreams  of  any  illicit  union, 
and  their  marriage  runs  counter  only  to  the  un- 
natural feud  between  their  houses.  The  chief  agent 
in  their  tragic  doom  is  the  one  wise  and  actively 
benign  character  in  the  play.  The  imposing  figure 
of  Friar  Laurence,  so  clearly  congenial  to  the  poet, 
has  tempted  some  critics,  like  Gervinus  and  Kreyssig, 
to  regard  him  as  a  chorus,  and  to  read  Shakespeare's 
judgment  upon  the  lovers  in  his  weighty  utterance  :-^ 

These  violent  delights  have  violent  ends 

And  in  then:  triumph  die,  like  fire  and  powder. 

Which  as  they  kiss  consume. 

horrors  of  the  vault,  she  drinks  sudden  vision  of  Romeo  in  the 
lest  her  resolution  should  give  vault,  and  Tybalt  vengefully 
way —  seeking  him  out,  drown  all  con- 
Dreading  that  weakness  might  or  sideration  but   the  longing    to 

foolish  cowardise  join  him  there. 
Hinder  the  e;cecation  of  the  purposed  i   ,       ,      ,    ,.  * 

enterprise.  (il.  2397-8.)  In  the  Italian  versions  she 

Shakespeare   finely  makes    the  is  eighteen,  in  Brooke  sixteen. 

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Romeo  and  Juliet 

The  love  of  Romeo  and  Juliet  is  in  short  condemned 
by  its  unmeasured  intensity.  'Shakespeare  on  his 
eagle  flight  above  all  the  heights  and  depths  of  human 
being  and  feeling,  assuredly  did  not  overlook  these 
romantic  abysses  of  the  supreme  passion.'  ^  But  we 
have  to  do  not  with  the  Olympian  Shakespeare  of 
The  Tempesty  but  with  a  Shakespeare  who,  if  we  may 
trust  the  Sonnets^  was  not  *  flying  above '  but  plunging 
strenuously  through  the  heights  and  depths  of  human 
feeling,  and  to  this  Shakespeare  the  matter  was 
hardly  so  clear.  He  can  never,  it  is  true,  have 
shared  the  modem  Romantic's  scorn  for  the  world  that 
lies  outside  love.  He  who  almost  from  the  outset 
grasped  so  profoundly  the  meaning  of  national  life 
and  the  potency  of  law,  could  never  have  complete 
sympathy  for  lyric  emotion,  however  entrancing,  which 
defies  them. .  But  that  he  saw  an  ethical  problem  in 
the  case  is  plain  from  the  pathos  which  gathers,  under 
his  handling,  about  the  lyric  rebel  to  law,  Richard  II. 
That  History  presents  suggestive  analogies  to  our 
Tragedy.  But  Romeo  and  Juliet's  passion,  sovran 
and  uncontrolled  as  it  is,  has  a  bearing  upon  pubUc 
interests  quite  other  than  that  of  Richard's  lyric 
self-love.  His  measureless  caprice  disorganises  a 
great  and  ordered  State ;  their  passion  breaks  like  a 
purifying  flame  upon  one  rotten  with  disease.  For 
the  lovers  themselves  the  price  of  that  purification  is 
death ;  but  our  pity  for  them  is  blended  with  wonder 
and  even  envy.  Juliet's  glorious  womanhood  is  the 
creation  of  her  love ;  Romeo,  a  weaker  nature,  retains 
more  infirmity,^  yet  he  too  stands  out  in  heroic  stature 

^  Kreyssig,   VorUsungen  iiber  She  wist  not  if  she  saw  a  dream  or 
5A«^.«.ii   40.    ..  """"^•^""'^^■^^•i, 

«  Juhet  s  clear    vision  never  Shakespeare's    JaUet    instantly 

leaves  her.    Cf.  the  waking  in  the  addresses  the  fiiar  :— 

vault     Brooke's  Juliet  is  at  first  o  comfortable  friar!  where  b  my  lord? 

much  amazed  to  see  in  tomb  I  do  remember  well  where  I  should  be, 

80  great  a  light  And  there  I  am.  (v.  3.  148.) 

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against  the  suitor  par  convenances  Paris,  and  the 
quondam  wooer  of  Rosalinde.  It  is  easy  to  dwell 
upon  his  despair  at  banishment,  his  fatal  errors  of 
judgment,  as  when  he  fails  to  suspect  life  in  Juliet's 
still  warm  and  rosy  form.^  But  to  suppose  that  he  is 
unmanned  by  his  love  of  Juliet  contradicts  the  whole 
tenour  of  Shakespeare's  implicit  teaching.  Passion 
for  a  Cressida  or  a  Cleopatra  saps  the  nerve  of  Troilus 
and  Antony ;  but  nowhere  does  Shakespeare  represent 
a  man  as  made  less  manly  by  absolute  soul-service  of 
a  true  woman :  rather,  this  was  a  condition  of  that 
'marriage  of  true  minds'  to  which,  in  his  loftiest 
sonnet,  he  refused  to  *  admit  impediments.' 

^  Cf.  Bulthaupt,  Dramaturgic  dcs  SchauspUls,  ii.  189  f. 


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ROMEO  AND   JULIET 


PROLOGUE. 

Enter  Chorus. 

Char.  Two  households,  both  alike  in  dignity, 

In  fair  Verona,  where  we  lay  our  scene, 
From  ancient  grudge  break  to  new  mutiny. 

Where  civil  blood  makes  civil  hands  unclean. 
From  forth  the  fatal  loins  of  these  two  foes 

A  pair  of  star-cross'd  lovers  take  their  life ; 
Whose  misadventured  piteous  overthrows 

Doth  with  their  death  bury  their  parents'  strife. 
The  fearful  passage  of  their  death-mark'd  love. 

And  the  continuance  of  their  parents*  rage,  to 

Which,   but  their    children's  end,  nought   could 
remove, 

Is  now  the  two  hours'  traffic  of  our  stage ; 
The  which  if  you  with  patient  ears  attend. 
What  here  shall  miss,  our  toil  shall  strive  to  mend. 

Prologue,  Omitted  in  Ff.  In  '  Chorus/  the  same  person  no 
the  Qq  (except  Q^)  the  speaker  doubt  delivering  the  *  chorus '  at 
of  the  Ftologue  is  described  as     the  end  of  Act  I. 


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Romeo  and  Juliet  act  i 

ACT  I. 

Scene  I.      Verona.     A  public  place. 

Enter  Sampson  and  Gregory,  of  the  house  of 
Capukt^  armed  with  swords  and  bucklers. 

Sam.  Gregory,  on  my  word,  we'll  not  carry 
coals. 

Gre.  No,  for  then  we  should  be  colliers. 

Sam.  I  mean,  an  we  be  in  choler,  we  11  draw. 

Gre.  Ay,  while  you  live,  draw  your  neck  out 
of  collar. 

Sam.  I  strike  quickly,  being  moved. 

Gre.  But  thou  art  not  quickly  moved  to  strike. 

Sam.  A  dog  of  the  house  of  Montague 
moves  me.  xo 

Gre.  To  move  is  to  stir ;  and  to  be  valiant  is 
to  stand:  therefore,  if  thou  art  moved,  thou 
runn'st  away. 

Sam.  A  dog  of  that  house  shall  move  me  to 
stand :  I  will  take  the  wall  of  any  man  or  maid 
of  Montague's. 

Gre.  That  shows  thee  a  weak  slave ;  for  the 
weakest  goes  to  the  wall. 

Sam.  'Tis  true ;  and  therefore  women,  being  the 
weaker  vessels,  are  ever  thrust  to  the  wall :  there-    so 
fore  I  will  push  Montague's  men  from  the  wall, 
and  thrust  his  maids  to  the  wall. 

Gre.  The  quarrel  is  between  our  masters  and 
us  their  men. 

I.    carry  coals  (proverbial),  of  the  collar,*  which  Ff  and  most 

stand  an  indignity,  be  put  upon,  modem  edd.  substitute. 

5.  out  of  collar;  so  Q^,^  This         15.    take  the  wall^   get   the 

is  more  idiomatic  than  the  '  out  better. 

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8c.  I  Romeo  and  Juliet 

Sam.  Tis  all  one,  I  will  show  m3rself  a 
tyrant:  when  I  have  fought  with  the  men,  I 
will  be  cruel  with  the  maids ;  I  will  cut  off  their 
heads. 

Gre.  The  heads  of  the  maids  ? 

Sam.    Ay,    the  heads  of  the   maids,  or   their  30 
maidenheads ;  take  it  in  what  sense  thou  wilt. 

Gre.  They  must  take  it  in  sense  that  feel  it. 

Sam.  Me  they  shall  feel  while  I  am  able 
to  stand :  and  'tis  known  I  am  a  pretty  piece  of 
flesh. 

Gre.  Tis  well  thou  art  not  fish ;  if  thou  hadst, 
thou  hadst  been  poor  John.  Draw  thy  tool ;  here 
comes  two  of  the  house  of  Montagues. 

Sam.  My  naked  weapon  is  out:  quarrel;  I 
will  back  thee.  40 

Gre.  How !  turn  thy  back  and  run  ? 

Sam.  Fear  me  not. 

Gre.  No,  marry  ;  I  fear  thee  1 

Sam.  Let  us  take  the  law  of  our  sides;  let 
them  begin, 

Gre.  I  will  frown  as  I  pass  by,  and  let  them 
take  it  as  they  list. 

Sam.  Nay,  as  they  dare.  I  will  bite  my 
thumb  at  them,  which  is  disgrace  to  them,  if 
they  bear  it  s© 

£nfer  Abraham  anti  Balthasar. 

Adr.  Do  you  bite  your  thumb  at  us,  sir  ? 
Sam.  I  do  bite  my  thumb,  sir. 

37.    cruel ;  so  Qq^,  g.     Qq.  ^  used  by  swaggerers  as  a  means 

Ff  have  '  civil. '  of   provoking  quarrels.      It  is 

32.  sense,  physical  feeling.  more    precisely    described    by 

37.  poor  John,  a  coarse  fish  Cotgrave    as    performed    *  by 

dried  and  salted.  putting  the  thumb-nail  into  the 

48.   bite  my  thumb  at  them,  mouth,  and  with  a  jerk  from  the 

an  insulting  gesture,  commonly  upper  teeth  make  it  to  knack.' 

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Abr,  Do  you  bite  your  thumb  at  us,  sir? 

Sam,  [Aside  to  Gre.]  Is  the  law  of  our  side, 
if  I  say  ay  ? 

GfT,  No. 

Sam.  No,  sir,  I  do  not  bite  my  thumb  at  you, 
sir,  but  I  bite  my  thumb,  sir. 

Gre,  Do  you  quarrel,  sir? 

Adr,  Quarrel,  sir !  no,  sir.  60 

Sam,  But  if  you  do,  sir,  I  am  for  you :  I  serve 
as  good  a  man  as  you. 

Adr,  No  better. 

Sam,  Well,  sir. 

Gre.  [Aside  to  Sam,]  Say 'better:'  here  comes 
one  of  my  master's  kinsmen. 

Sam,  Yes,  better,  sir. 

A^,  You  lie. 

Sam.  Draw,  if  you  be  men.  Gregory,  remember 
thy  swashing  blow.  [^^J^^^^-    70 

Enter  Benvolio. 

Ben.  Part,  fools ! 
Put  up  your  swords ;  you  know  not  what  you  do. 
[Beats  down  their  swords. 

Enter  Tybalt. 

Tyb.  What,  art  thou  drawn  among  these  heart- 
less hinds  ? 
Jurn  thee,  Benvolio,  look  upon  thy  death. 

66.  one  of  my  master's  kins-  ambiguity. 
men,  le.  Tybalt.  Gregory  70.  swashing;  so  04,5.  Qj,, 
may  be  supposed  to  be  looking  F^  have  'washing,'  which  Shake- 
in  the  direction  from  which  speare  may  have  written ;  '  a 
Tybalt  comes,  with  his  back  to  washing  blow '  is  attested  in  the 
Benvolio.  Mr.  Daniel's  stage  same  sense  by  Harvey's  Plaifie 
direction,  'Enter  at  opposite  /Vmva/,  1589 (Daniel's edition), 
sides,  Benvolio  and  Tibalt,'  73.  heartless^  timid  (with  a 
relieves  the  otherwise  awkward  quibble). 

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sc.  I  Romeo  and  Juliet 

Ben,  I  do  but  keep  the  peace:  put  up  thy  sword, 
Or  manage  it  to  part  these  men  with  me. 

Tyb.  What,  drawn,  and  talk  of  peace !     I  hate 
the  word. 
As  I  hate  hell,  all  Montagues,  and  thee : 
Have  at  thee,  coward !  [They  fight. 

Enter  several  of  both  houses^  who  join  the  fray  ;  then 
enter  Citizens  and  Peace-officers  with  dubs. 

First  Off,  Clubs,   bills,   and  partisans!  strike! 
beat  them  down  I  80 

Down  with  the  Capulets!  down  with  the  Mon- 
tagues! 

Enter  old  Capulet  in  his  gown^  and  Lady 
Capulet. 

Cap,  What  noise  is  this?     Give  me  my  long 

sword,  ho  I 
La,  Cap,  A  crutch,  a  crutch !  why  call  you  for 

a  sword? 
Cap,  My  sword,  I  say !    Old  Montague  is  come. 
And  flourishes  his  blade  in  spite  of  me. 

Enter  Montague  and  Lady  Montague. 

Mon,  Thou   villain    Capulet, — Hold   me   not, 

let  me  go. 
Za,  Man,  Thou  shalt  not  stir  one  foot  to  seek 

a  foe. 

Enter  Prince,  with  Attendants. 

Prin.  Rebellious  subjects,  enemies  to  peace, 
Profaners  of  this  neighbour-stained  steel, — • 

80.     Cluls,  the  common  cry  80.  partiians^  balberts. 

raised  to  part  a  street  quarrel.  89.  neigkdour-stainedfStsdned 

80.  difis,  the  usual  weapons  with  the  blood  of  fellow-countrjr- 

of  watchmen.  men. 

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Will  they  not  hear?     What,  bo!  you  men,   you 

beasts,  90 

That  quench  the  fire  of  your  pernicious  rage 
With  purple  fountains  issuing  from  your  veins. 
On  pain  of  torture,  from  those  bloody  hands 
Throw  your  mistemper'd  weapons  to  the  ground. 
And  hear  the  sentence  of  your  moved  prince. 
Three  civil  brawls,  bred  of  an  airy  word, 
By  thee,  old  Capulet,  and  Montague, 
Have  thrice  disturbed  the  quiet  of  our  streets. 
And  made  Verona's  ancient  citizens 
Cast  by  their  grave  beseeming  ornaments,  100 

To  wield  old  partisans,  in  hands  as  old, 
Canker'd  with  peace,  to  part  your  canker'd  hate : 
If  ever  you  disturb  our  streets  again. 
Your  lives  shall  pay  the  forfeit  of  the  peace. 
For  this  time,  all  the  rest  depart  away : 
You,  Capulet,  shall  go  along  with  me : 
And,  Montague,  come  you  this  afternoon. 
To  know  our  further  pleasure  in  this  case. 
To  old  Free-town,  our  common  judgement-place. 
Once  more,  on  pain  of  death,  all  men  depart.  no 

[jExeunt  all  hut  Montague^  Lady  Mon- 
iague^  and  Benvolio. 

Mon,  Who  set  this  ancient  quarrel  new  abroach  ? 
Speak,  nephew,  were  you  by  when  it  began  ? 

Ben,  Here  were  the  servants  of  your  adversary, 
And  yours,  close  fighting  ere  I  did  approach : 
I  drew  to  part  them :  in  the  instant  came 
The  fiery  Tybalt,  with  his  sword  prepared ; 
Which,  as  he  breathed  defiance  to  my  ears. 
He  swung  about  his  head  and  cut  the  winds. 
Who,  nothing  hurt  withal,  hiss'd  him  in  scorn : 

94.    mistemper'd,    tempered,      in   the    Ital.    original    and    m 
hardened,  to  an  ill  end.  Painter  ;  already  rendered  thus 

109.  />r^-/<m>«,*  Villa  Franca'      by  Brooke. 

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SC.  I 


Romeo  and  Juliet 


While  we  were  interchanging  thrusts  and  blows,       xao 
Came  more  and  more,  and  fought  on  part  and  part, 
Till  the  prince  came,  who  parted  either  part. 

La,  Man,  O,  where  is  Romeo?  saw  you  him 
to-day  ? 
Right  glad  I  am  he  was  not  at  this  fray. 

Ben,  Madam,  an  hour  before  the  worshipped  sun 
Peer'd  forth  the  golden  window  of  the  east, 
A  troubled  mind  drave  me  to  walk  abroad ; 
Where,  underneath  the  grove  of  sycamore 
That  westward  rooteth  from  the  city's  side. 
So  early  walking  did  I  see  your  son :  13© 

Towards  him  I  made ;  but  he  was  ware  of  me 
And  stole  into  the  covert  of  the  wood  : 
I,  measuring  his  affections  by  my  own. 
Which  then  most  sought  where  most  might  not 

be  found 
Being  one  too  many  by  my  weary  self. 
Pursued  my  humour  not  pursuing  his. 
And  gladly  shunn'd  who  gladly  fled  from  me. 

Mon,  Many  a  morning  hath  he  there  been  seen, 
With  tears  augmenting  the  fresh  morning's  dew, 
Adding  to  clouds  more  clouds  with  his  deep  sighs ; 
But  all  so  soon  as  the  all-cheering  sun  140 

Should  in  the  furthest  east  begin  to  draw 
The  shady  curtains  from  Aurora's  bed. 
Away  from  light  steals  home  my  heavy  son. 
And  private  in  his  chamber  pens  himself. 
Shuts  up  his  windows,  locks  fair  daylight  out 
And  makes  himself  an  artificial  night : 
Black  and  portentous  must  this  humour  prove, 

127.  drave.  Qq  has  drive  134.  Benvolio  sought  the 
(i.e.  ifrft/),  a  current  form  of  the  least  frequented  places. — This 
past  tense,  which  Shakesp)eare  verse,  given  in  Q^,  is  replaced 
may  have  written.  in  most  modem  editions  by  one 

from  Qj :   '  That  most  are  busied 

133.  aJUgctumSt  inclinations.         when  they're  most  alone.' 


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Romeo  and  Juliet  acti 

Unless  good  counsel  may  the  cause  remove. 

Ben,  My  noble  uncle,  do  you  know  the  cause  ? 

Mon.  I  neither  know  it  nor  can  learn  of  him.      150 

Ben.  Have  you  importuned  him  by  any  means  ? 

Man,  Both  by  myself  and  many  other  friends : 
But  he,  his  own  affections'  coimsellor. 
Is  to  himself — I  will  not  say  how  true — 
But  to  himself  so  secret  and  so  close, 
So  far  from  sounding  and  discovery, 
As  is  the  bud  bit  with  an  envious  worm, 
Ere  he  can  spread  his  sweet  leaves  to  the  air. 
Or  dedicate  his  beauty  to  the  sun. 
Could  we  but  learn  from  whence  his  sorrows  grow,  z6o 
We  would  as  willingly  give  cure  as  know. 

Enter  Romeo. 

Ben,  See,  where  he  comes :  so  please  you  step 
aside, 
I  '11  know  his  grievance,  or  be  much  denied. 

Mon,  I  would  thou  wert  so  happy  by  thy  stay. 
To  hear  true  shrift.     Come,  madam,  let 's  away. 

\Exeunt  Montague  and  Lady, 
Ben,  Good  morrow,  cousin. 
Rom,  Is  the  day  so  young  ? 

Ben,  But  new  struck  nine. 
Rom,  Ay  me  1  sad  hours  seem  long. 

Was  that  my  father  that  went  hence  so  fast  ? 
Ben,  It  was.     What  sadness  lengthens  Romeo's 

hours? 
Rom,  Not   having  that  which,  having,  makes 

them  short.  170 

Ben.  In  love  ? 
Rom.  Out — 
Ben,  Of  love? 

Rom,  Out  of  her  favour,  where  I  am  in  love. 
159.  sun;  Theobald's  emendation  of  Qq  Ff  'same.' 
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sc.  I  Romeo  and  Juliet 

Ben.  Alas,  that  love,  so  gentle  in  his  view, 
Should  be  so  tyrannous  and  rough  in  proof ! 

Rom,  Alas,  that  love,  whose  view  is  muffled  still, 
Should,  without  eyes,  see  pathways  to  his  will ! 
Where  shall  we  dine  ?     O  me !     What  fray  was 

here? 
Yet  tell  me  not,  for  I  have  heard  it  all.  zSo 

Here 's  much  to  do  with  hate,  but  more  with  love. 
Why,  then,  O  brawling  love !  O  loving  hate  ! 
O  any  thing,  of  nothing  first  created ! 
O  heavy  lightness  I  serious  vanity ! 
Mis-shapen  chaos  of  well-seeming  forms  ! 
Feather  of  lead,  bright  smoke,  cold  fire,  sick  health ! 
Still-waking  sleep,  that  is  not  what  it  is ! 
This  love  feel  I,  that  feel  no  love  in  this. 
Dost  thou  not  laugh  ? 

Ben.  No,  coz,  I  rather  weep. 

Rom.  Good  heart,  at  what  ? 

Ben.  At  thy  good  heart's  oppression. — 190 

Rom.  Why,  such  is  love's  transgression. 
Griefs  of  mine  own  lie  heavy  in  my  breast ; 
Which  thou  wilt  propagate,  to  have  it  prest 
With  more  of  thine :  this  love  that  thou  hast  shown 
Doth  add  more  grief  to  too  much  of  mine  own. 
Love  is  a  smoke  made  with  the  fume  of  sighs ; 
Being  purged,  a  fire  sparkling  in  lovers'  eyes ; 

176.  in  proof,  in  actual  ex-  196.   made;  so  Qq  Ff.    Most 

perience.  modern  edd.  adopt,  with  Pof)e, 

183.  created;  so  Qq  Ff.  The      1^^  *  .^^^  \     ^"^ '  ™^«  \ 
form     '  create '     (Q,     F^)    is      f^^^es  its  far  better  authority) 

probably  due  to  the  Q^  Sitor's  \  "^""^    ^^-^^^l  "^'n  ?^ 

desire  for  a  (quite  g/atuitous)  ^eory  to  wluch  Uie  hne  alludes, 

rhyme             \-i         o               f  jj^^t  the  sighs  of  love  as   they 

rose  (did  not  raise  but)  became 

191.      Why,    such    is    lovers  vapour  or  '  smoke. ' 

transgression.     [The  short  line  197.    purged,   i.e.    from   the 

playfully  caps  Benvolio's.     L.  ]  fumes  of  sighs.     Cf.  *  He  shall 

Mommsen    conjectured,    'Why  throughly  purge   \i.e.  fan]    his 

such  is  Benvolio,  such  is/  etc.  floor.' 

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Romeo  and  Juliet  act  i 

Being  vex'd,  a  sea  nourish'd  with  lovers'  tears : 
What  is  it  else  ?  a  madness  most  discreet, 
A  choking  gall  and  a  preserving  sweet  aoo 

Farewell,  my  coz. 

Ben,  Soft !  I  will  go  along ; 

An  if  you  leave  me  so,  you  do  me  wrong. 

Rom,  Tut,  I  have  lost  mjrself;  I  am  not  here; 
This  is  not  Romeo,  he 's  some  other  where. 

Ben,  Tell  me  in  sadness,  who  is  that  you  love. 

Rom.  What,  shall  I  groan  and  tell  thee  ? 

Ben.  Groan !  why,  no ; 

But  sadly  tell  me  who. 

Rom,  Bid  a  sick  man  in  sadness  make  his  will : 
Ah,  word  ill  urged  to  one  that  is  so  ill ! 
In  sadness,  cousin,  I  do  love  a  woman.  2x0 

Ben,  I  aim'd  so  near,  when  I  supposed  you  loved 

Rom,  A  right  good  mark-man !     And  she 's  fair 
I  love. 

Ben,  A  right  fair  mark,  fair  coz,  is  soonest  hit 

Rom,  Well,  in  that  hit  you  miss  :  she  'U  not  be  hit 
With  Cupid's  arrow ;  she  hath  Dian's  wit ; 
And,  in  strong  proof  of  chastity  well  arm'd. 
From  love's  weak  childish  bow  she  lives  unharm'd. 
She  will  not  stay  the  siege  of  loving  terms. 
Nor  bide  the  encounter  of  assailing  eyes, 
Nor  ope  her  lap  to  saint-seducing  gold :  sno 

O,  she  is  rich  in  beauty,  only  poor 
That,  when  she  dies,  with  beauty  dies  her  store. 

Ben,  Then  she  hath  sworn  that  she  will  still 
live  chaste  ? 

Rom,  She   hath,   and   in   that   sparing    makes 
huge  waste, 

205.  sadness,  seriousness.  216.  proof,  armour. 

208.  Bid  a  sick  man,  etc. ;  so 

Qr     Qa  Qs  ^1  ^^^  'a  sicke  217.    unharm'd;  so  Q^.  Qq 

man  in  sadness  makes,'  etc.  Ff  '  uncharmd.' 

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sc.  u  Romeo  and  Juliet 

For  beauty  starved  with  her  severity 

Cuts  beauty  off  from  all  posterity. 

She  is  too  fair,  too  wise,  wisely  too  feir, 

To  merit  bliss  by  making  me  despair : 

She  hath  forsworn  to  love,  and  in  that  vow 

Do  I  live  dead  that  hve  to  tell  it  now.  330 

Ben.  Be  ruled  by  me,  forget  to  think  of  her. 

Rom.  O,  teach  me  how  I  should  forget  to  think. 

Ben,  By  giving  liberty  unto  thine  eyes ; 
Examine  other  beauties. 

Rom,  Tis  the  way 

To  call  hers,  exquisite,  in  question  more : 
These  happy  masks  that  kiss  fair  ladies'  brows 
Being  black  put  us  in  mind  they  hide  the  fair ; 
He  that  is  strucken  blind  cannot  foiget 
The  precious  treasure  of  his  eyesight  lost : 
Show  me  a  mistress  that  is  passing  fair,  340 

What  doth  her  beauty  serve  but  as  a  note 
Where  I  may  read  who  pass'd  that  passing  fair  ? 
Farewell :  thou  canst  not  teach  me  to  forget. 

Ben,  I  '11  pay  that  doctrine,  or  else  die  in  debt. 

\E3C€unt, 

Scene  II.     A  street 

Enter  Capulet,  Paris,  and  Servant. 

Cap,  But  Montague  is  bound  as  well  as  I, 
In  penalty  alike  ;  and  'tis  not  hard,  I  think. 
For  men  so  old  as  we  to  keep  the  peace. 

Par,  Of  honourable  reckoning  are^you  both ; 
And  pity  'tis  you  lived  at  odds  so  long. 
But  now,  my  lord,  what  say  you  to  my  suit  ? 

235.   To  call  hers,  exquisite,  comparison,   and  so  make  me 

in  quesHon  more,  to  force  that  jet  more  keenly  alive  to  it 

exquisite    beauty  of    hers,    yet  244.  doctrine,  instruction, 

more  upon  my  judgment,   by  4.  reckoning,  estimation. 

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Romeo  and  Juliet  act  i 

Cap,  But  saying  o'er  what  I  have  said  before : 
My  child  is  yet  a  stranger  in  the  world ; 
She  hath  not  seen  the  change  of  fourteen  years ; 
Let  two  more  summers  wither  in  their  pride,  lo 

Ere  we  may  think  her  ripe  to  be  a  bride. 

Par.  Younger  than  she  are  happy  mothers  made. 

Cap,  And  too  soon  marr'd  are  those  so  early 
made. 
The  earth  hath  swallow'd  all  my  hopes  but  she, 
She  is  the  hopeful  lady  of  my  earth : 
But  woo  her,  gentle  Paris,  get  her  heart. 
My  will  to  her  consent  is  but  a  part ; 
An  she  agree,  within  her  scope  of  choice 
Lies  my  consent  and  fair  according  voice. 
This  night  I  hold  an  old  accustom'd  feast,  ao 

Whereto  I  have  invited  many  a  guest, 
Such  as  I  love ;  and  you,  among  the  store, 
One  more,  most  welcome,  makes  my  number  more. 
At  my  poor  house  look  to  behold  this  night 
Earth-treading  stars  that  make  dark  heaven  light : 
Such  comfort  as  do  lusty  young  men  feel 
When  well-appareird  April  on  the  heel 
Of  limping  winter  treads,  even  such  delight 
Among  fresh  female  buds  shall  you  this  night 
Inherit  at  my  house ;  hear  all,  all  see,  30 

And  like  her  most  whose  merit  most  shall  be : 
Which  on  more  view,  of  many  mine  being  one 
May  stand  in  number,  though  in  reckoning  none. 

15.  the   hopeful  lady  of  my     a  number  is  reckoned  none. " ' 
earth,  my  heiress.  This  saying  is  played  upon  in 


30.  Inherit,  enjoy. 


Sonnet  cxxxvi.  : — 


Among  a  number  one  is  reckoo'd 
32.    Which  on  more  view,  etc.  none : 

So  Qq4,  5.     These  obscure  lines      Then  in  the  number  let  me  pass 
appear   to  mean  :     '  Of  whidi  untola. 

number,  on  closer  view,  my  own      '  Which,*  if  rig^t,  is  a  loosely 
daughter  may  be  found,   not-     used  relative,  with   the  whole 
withstanding  that  *  •  one  among     previous  sentence  as  antecedent 
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sc,  II  Romeo  and  Juliet 

Come,  go  with  me.     [To  Serv.y  giving  a  paper,"] 

Go,  sirrah,  trudge  about 
Through  fair  Verona ;  find  those  persons  out 
Whose  names  are  written  there,  and  to  them  say, 
My  house  and  welcome  on  their  pleasure  stay. 

[Exeunt  Capulet  and  Paris, 
Serv.  Find  them  out  whose  names  are  written 
here !  It  is  written,  that  the  shoemaker  should 
meddle  with  his  yard,  and  the  tailor  with  his  last,  40 
the  fisher  with  his  pencil,  and  the  painter  with  his 
nets ;  but  I  am  sent  to  find  those  persons  whose 
names  are  here  writ,  and  can  never  find  what 
names  the  writing  person  hath  here  writ.  I 
must  to  the  learned. — In  good  time. 

Enter  Benvolio  and  Romeo. 

Ben.  Tut,  man,  one  fire  burns  out  another's 

burning. 
One  pain  is  lessened  by  another's  anguish ; 
Turn  giddy,  and  be  holp  by  backward  turning ; 
One  desperate  grief  cures  with  another's  lan- 
guish : 
Take  thou  some  new  infection  to  thy  eye,  so 

And  the  rank  poison  of  the  old  will  die. 

Eom,  Your  plaintain-leaf  is  excellent  for  that 
Ben,  For  what,  I  pray  thee  ? 
Eom,  For  your  broken  shin. 

Ben,  Why,  Romeo,  art  thou  mad  ? 
Eom,  Not  mad,  but  bound  more  than  a  mad- 
man is ; 
Shut  up  in  prison,  kept  without  my  food, 
Whipp'd   and    tormented   and — God -den,   good 
fellow. 
Serv,  God  gi'  god-den.     I   pray,  sir,  can  you 
read? 
45.  In  good  time;  referring  to  the  arrival  of  Benvolio  and  Romeo. 
VOL.  VII  417  2  E 


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Romeo  and  Juliet  act  i 

Rom.  Ay,  mine  own  fortune  in  my  misery.  60 

Serv,  Perhaps  you  have  learned  it  without 
book :  but,  I  pray,  can  you  read  any  thing  you 
see? 

Rom,  Ay,  if  I  know  the  letters  and  the  language. 

Serv,  Ye  say  honestly :  rest  you  merry  ! 

Rom,  Stay,  fellow;  I  can  read.  \Reads, 

'Signior  Martino  and  his  wife  and  daughters; 
County  Anselme  and  his  beauteous  sisters;  the 
lady  widow  of  Vitruvio;  Signior  Placentio  and 
his  lovely  nieces ;  Mercutio  and  his  brother  Valen-  70 
tine;  mine  uncle  Capulet,  his  wife,  and  daugh- 
ters ;  my  fair  niece  Rosaline ;  Livia ;  Signior  Va- 
lentio  and  his  cousin  Tybalt ;  Lucio  and  the  lively 
Helena. ' 
A  fair  assembly :  whither  should  they  come  ? 

Serv,  Up. 

Rom,  Whither? 

Serv,  To  supper ;  to  our  house. 

Rom,  Whose  house  ? 

Serv,  My  master's.  80 

Rom,  Indeed,  I  should  have  ask'd  you  that 
before. 

Serv,  Now  I'll  tell  you  without  asking:  my 
master  is  the  great  rich  Capulet;  and  if  you  be 
not  of  the  house  of  Montagues,  I  pray,  come  and 
crush  a  cup  of  wine.     Rest  you  merry  !        \Exit, 

Ben,  At  this  same  ancient  feast  of  Capulet's 
Sups  the  fair  Rosaline  whom  thou  so  lovest. 
With  all  the  admired  beauties  of  Verona : 
Go  thither ;  and,  with  unattainted  eye,  90 

Compare  her  face  with  some  that  I  shall  show, 
And  I  will  make  thee  think  thy  swan  a  crow. 
Rom,  When  the  devout  religion  of  mine  eye 

Maintains  such  falsehood,  then  turn  tears  to  fires; 

90.  unatiainted,  sincere,  impartial. 
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8c.  in  Romeo  and  Juliet 

And  these,  who  often  drown'd  could  never  die, 

Transparent  heretics,  be  burnt  for  liars ! 
One  fairer  than  my  love  !  the  all-seeing  sun 
Ne'er  saw  her  match  since  first  the  world  begun. 

Ben,  Tut,  you  saw  her  fair,  none  else  being  by, 
Herself  poised  with  herself  in  either  eye : 
But  in  that  crystal  scales  let  there  be  weighed 
Your  lady's  love  against  some  other  maid 
That  I  will  show  you  shining  at  this  feast, 
And  she  shall  scant  show  well  that  now  shows 
best. 
Rom,  I  '11  go  along,  no  such  sight  to  be  shown. 
But  to  rejoice  in  splendour  of  mine  own. 

\Exeunt, 


Scene  HI.     A  room  in  Capulefs  house. 

Enter  Lady  Capulet  and  Nurse. 

La,  Cap,  Nurse, 'where 's  my  daughter  ?  call  her 

forth  to  me. 
Nurse,  Now,   by  my   maidenhead, — at   twelve 
year  old, — 
I  bade  her  come.     What,  lamb  !  what,  lady-bird  !— 
God  forbid  ! — ^Where  's  this  girl  ?     What,  Juliet ! 

Enter  Juliet. 

Jul,  How  now  !  who  calls  ? 

Nurse,  Your  mother. 

Jul.  Madam,  I  am  here.     What  is  your  will  ? 

La,    Cap,  This   is    the   matter: — Nurse,    give 
leave  awhile, 
We  must  talk  in  secret : — nurse,  come  back  again ; 
I  have  remember'd  me,  thou 's  hear  our  counsel. 
Thou  know'st  my  daughter 's  of  a  pretty  age. 

9.  thou  *s,  thou  shaXt, 
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Romeo  and  Juliet 


ACT  I 


Nurse,  Faith,  I  can  tell  her  age  unto  an  hour. 

La,  Cap,  She 's  not  fourteen. 

Nurse,  I  '11  lay  fourteen  of  my  teeth, — 

And  yet,  to  my  teen  be  it  spoken,   I  have  but 

four, — 
She  is  not  fourteen.     How  long  is  it  now 
To  Lammas-tide? 

La,  Cap,  A  fortnight  and  odd  days. 

Nurse,  Even  or  odd,  of  all  days  in  the  year, 
Come  Lammas-eve  at  night  shall  she  be  fourteen. 
Susan  and  she — God  rest  all  Christian  souls ! — 
Were  of  an  age :  well,  Susan  is  with  God  ; 
She  was  too  good  for  me : — but,  as  I  said,  ao 

On  Lammas-eve  at  night  shall  she  be  fourteen ; 
That  shall  she,  marry ;  I  remember  it  well. 
'Tis  since  the  earthquake  now  eleven  years ; 
And  she  was  weaned, — I  never  shall  forget  it, — 
Of  all  the  days  of  the  year,  upon  that  day : 
For  I  had  then  laid  wormwood  to  my  dug. 
Sitting  in  the  sun  under  the  dove-house  wall ; 
My  lord  and  you  were  then  at  Mantua : — 
Nay,  I  do  bear  a  brain : — but,  as  I  said. 
When  it  did  taste  the  wormwood  on  the  nipple         30 
Of  my  dug,  and  felt  it  bitter,  pretty  fool, 
To  see  it  tetchy  and  fall  out  with  the  dug  ! 
Shake,  quoth  the  dove-house:  'twas  no  need,  I 

trow. 
To  bid  me  trudge  : 
And  since  that  time  it  is  eleven  years ; 

13.  teen,  grief.  house ;  the  dove -house  shook. 

15.  Lammas,  ist  August  This  use  of    'quoth'   for   the 

23.  since  the  earthquake.  action  of  inanimate  things  is 
Perhaps  an  allusion  to  the  violent  said  to  be  a  Warwickshire  idiom ; 
earthquake  shock  which  actually  so  *  Jerk,  quoth  the  plough- 
occurred  in  England  in  1580.  share'   (Wise,  Shakspeare  and 

29.   ^^«r  a  ^raj«,  have  a  good  his  Birthplace,   p.    112;    quot. 

memory.  Deighton,  Romeo  and  Juliet,  ad 

33.    Shake,   quoth    the  dove-  loc.). 

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8c.  Ill  Romeo  and  Juliet 

For   then    she   could   stand   high-lone;   nay,    by 

the  rood, 
She  could  have  run  and  waddled  all  about ; 
For  even  the  day  before,  she  broke  her  brow : 
And  then  my  husband— -God  be  with  his  soul ! 
A'  was  a  merry  man — took  up  the  child  :  40 

*  Yea,'  quoth  he,  *  dost  thou  fall  upon  thy  face  ? 
Thou  wilt  fall  backward  when  thou  hast  more  wit ; 
Wilt  thou  not,  Jule  ? '  and,  by  my  holidame, 

The  pretty  wretch  left  crying  and  said  *  Ay. ' 
To  see,  now,  how  a  jest  shall  come  about  I 
I  warrant,  an  I  should  hve  a  thousand  years, 
I  never  should  forget  it :  *  Wilt  thou  not,  Jule  ? ' 

quoth  he ; 
And,  pretty  fool,  it  stinted  and  said  *  Ay.' 

La,   Cap,  Enough  of  this;  I  pray  thee,  hold 

thy  peace. 
Nurse,  Yes,  madam :  yet  I  cannot  choose  but 
laugh,  so 

To  think  it  should  leave  crying  and  say  *  Ay.' 
And  yet,  I  warrant,  it  had  upon  it  brow 
A  bump  as  big  as  a  young  cockerel's  stone ; 
A  perilous  knock ;  and  it  cried  bitterly : 

*  Yea,'  quoth  my  husband,  *  fall'st  upon  thy  face  ? 
Thou  wilt  fell  backward  when  thou  comest  to  age ; 
Wilt  thou  not,  Jule  ? '  it  stinted  and  said  *  Ay.' 

Jul,  And  stint  thou  too,   I  pray  thee,  nurse, 

say  I. 
Nurse.  Peace,  I  have  done.     God  mark  thee 
to  his  grace ! 
Thou  wast  the  prettiest  babe  that  e'er  I  nursed :       60 
An  I  might  live  to  see  thee  married  once, 
I  have  my  wish. 

36.    stand  high-lone^   stand  52.  it,  its. 

erect,  alone. 

48.  stinted,  stopped.  53.  cockerel,  young  cock. 

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Romeo  and  Juliet  act  i 

La,  Cap.  Marry,  that  *marry '  is  the  very  theme 
I  came  to  talk  of.     Tell  me,  daughter  Juliet, 
How  stands  your  disposition  to  be  married  ? 

Jul,  It  is  an  honour  that  I  dream  not  o£ 

Nurse.  An  honour !  were  not  I  thine  only  nurse, 
I  would  say  thou  hadst  suck'd  wisdom  from  thy 
teat 

La.  Cap.  Well,  think  of  marriage  now;  younger 
than  you. 
Here  in  Verona,  ladies  of  esteem,  70 

Are  made  already  mothers :  by  my  count, 
I  was  your  mother  much  upon  these  years 
That  you  are  now  a  maid.     Thus  then  in  brief: 
The  valiant  Paris  seeks  you  for  his  love. 

Nurse.  A'  man,  young  lady !  lady,  such  a  man 
As  all  the  world — ^why,  he 's  a  man  of  wax. 

La.  Cap.  Verona's  summer  hath  not  such  a 
flower. 

Nurse.  Nay,  he's  a   flower;  in   faith,  a  very 
flower. 

La.  Cap.  What  say   you?  can  you   love  the 
gentleman  ? 
This  night  you  shall  behold  him  at  our  feast ;  80 

Read  o'er  the  volume  of  young  Paris'  face 
And  find  delight  writ  there  with  beauty's  pen ; 
Examine  every  married  lineament 
And  see  how  one  another  lends  content, 
And  what  obscured  in  this  fair  volume  lies 
Find  written  in  the  margent  of  his  eyes. 
This  precious  book  of  love,  this  unbound  lover. 
To  beautify  him,  only  lacks  a  cover : 
The  fish  lives  in  the  sea,  and  'tis  much  pride 
For  fair  without  the  fair  within  to  hide :  90 

76.  a  man  of  wax  ^  i.e.  a  well-      is  a  quibble  on  the  French  legal 

modelled,  shapely  man.  phrase   for  a   married  woman 

88.  cover ^  i.e.  binding.  There    feme  covert  ( '  femme  couverte ' ). 

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sc.  IV  Romeo  and  Juliet 

That  book  in  many's  eyes  doth  share  the  glory, 
That  in  gold  clasps  locks  in  the  golden  story ; 
So  shall  you  share  all  that  he  doth  possess, 
By  having  him,  making  yourself  no  less. 

Nurse,  No  less  1  nay,  bigger ;  women  grow  by 

men. 
La,  Cap.  Speak  briefly,  can  you  like  of  Paris' 

love? 
Jul,  I  '11  look  to  like,  if  looking  liking  move : 
But  no  more  deep  will  I  endart  mine  eye 
Than  your  consent  gives  strength  to  make  it  fly. 

Enter  a  Servant. 

Serv,  Madam,  the  guests  are  come,  supper 
served  up,  you  called,  my  young  lady  asked  for, 
the  nurse  cursed  in  the  pantry,  and  every  thing  in 
extremity.  I  must  hence  to  wait ;  I  beseech  you, 
follow  straight. 

La,    Cap,  We    follow    thee.     \Exit    Servant] 

Juliet,  the  county  stays. 
Nurse,  Go,  girl,  seek  happy  nights  to  happy 
days.  {Exeunt, 


Scene  IV.     A  street. 

Enter  Romeo,  Mercutio,  Benvolio,  with  five 
or  six  Maskers,  Torch-bearers,  and  others, 

Rom,  What,  shall  this  speech  be  spoke  for  our 
excuse  ? 
Or  shall  we  on  without  apology  ? 
Ben,  The  date  is  out  of  such  prolixity : 

98.  endart^  dart.  often  spoken  by  a  Cupid,  as  in 

3.    such  prolixity.      It  was  Timon  of  Athens^  i.  2.  127.  The 

usual  for   the  masquers  to  be  Cupid  there  enters  and  greets 

introduced  in  a  formal  speech,  Timon,  begging  permission  for 

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Romeo  and  Juliet  act  i 

We'll  have  no  Cupid  hoodwink'd  with  a  scar^ 

Bearing  a  Tartar's  painted  bow  of  lath, 

Scaring  the  ladies  Uke  a  crow-keeper ; 

Nor  no  without-book  prologue,  faintly  spoke 

After  the  prompter,  for  our  entrance : 

But  let  them  measure  us  by  what  they  will ; 

We  '11  measure  them  a  measure,  and  be  gone.  lo 

Rom,  Give  me  a   torch:  I   am  not   for   this 
ambling ; 
Being  but  heavy,  I  will  bear  the  light 

Mer,  Nay,  gentle  Romeo,  we  must  have  you 
dance. 

Rom,  Not  I,  believe  me:  you  have   dancing 
.  shoes 
With  nimble  soles :  I  have  a  soul  of  lead 
So  stakes  me  to  the  ground  I  cannot  move. 

Mer.  You  are  a  lover ;  borrow  Cupid's  wings, 
And  soar  with  them  above  a  common  bound. 

Rom,  I  am  too  sore  enpierced  with  his  shaft 
To  soar  with  his  light  feathers,  and  so  bound,  ao 

I  cannot  bound  a  pitch  above  dull  woe : 
Under  love's  heavy  burden  do  I  sinL 

Mer,  And,  to  sink  in  it,  should  you  biurden  love; 
Too  great  oppression  for  a  tender  thing. 

Rom,  Is  love  a  tender  thing  ?  it  is  too  rough, 
Too  rude,  too  boisterous,  and  it  pricks  like  thorn. 

Mer,  If  love  be  rough  with  you,  be  rough  with 
love ; 
Prick  love  for  pricking,  and  you  beat  love  down. 

the  masquers  to  be  admitted ;  6.  crow-keeper,  scarecrow, 
then,  on  their  being  made  wel-  8.  entrance  (three  syllables), 
come,  withdraws  and  brings  them  lo.  a  measure,  a  dance, 
in.    a.  Hen.  VIII, '\,  ^.    Neither  n.   Give  me  a  torch.     Torch- 
example  supports  the  assertion  bearers  regularly  accompanied 
that  the  custom  was '  out  of  date '  a  troop  of  masquers, 
when   Romeo    and  Juliet  was  ai.    pitch,    (technically)    the 
written.  height  of  a  falcon's  flight 

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8c.  IV  Romeo  and  Juliet 

Give  me  a  case  to  put  my  visage  in : 

A  visor  for  a  visor !  what  care  I  30 

What  curious  eye  doth  quote  deformities  ? 

Here  are  the  beetle  brows  shall  blush  for  me. 

Ben,  Come,  knock  and  enter ;  and  no  sooner  in, 
But  every  man  betake  him  to  his  legs. 

Rom,  A  torch  for  me :  let  wantons  light  of  heart 
Tickle  the  senseless  rushes  with  their  heels, 
For  I  am  proverb'd  with  a  grandsire  phrase ; 
I  '11  be  a  candle-holder,  and  look  on. 
The  game  was  ne'er  so  fair,  and  I  am  done. 

Mer.  Tut,  dun 's  the  mouse,  the  constable's  own 
word :  40 

If  thou  art  dun,  we  '11  draw  thee  from  the  mire 
Of  this  sir-reverence  love,  wherein  thou  stick'st 
Up  to  the  ears.     Come,  we  burn  daylight,  ho  ! 

Rom.  Nay,  that 's  not  so. 

Mer,  I  mean,  sir,  in  delay 

We  waste  our  lights  in  vain,  like  lamps  by  day. 

31.  quote,  note.  an  old  Christmas  game,  where 

37.  /  am  proverb' d,  etc. ,  the  a  block  of  wood  stood  for  a 

old  proverb  fits  my  case,   viz.  dim-horse  stuck  in  the  mire,  and 

that  it  is  well  to  leave  off  when  was  to  be  forcibly  extricated  by 

the  game  is  at  the  fairest.   Romeo  the  company.     Hence  'dun  is 

will  accordingly  be  a  looker-on  in  the  mire  *  was  a  jocose  appeal 

or  'candle-holder.'  for  help  in  a  ticklish  situation. 

40.  dun 's  the  mouse ;  a  pro-  Here  Romeo  is  to  be  extricated 
verbial  phrase  of  obscure  point,  from  the  *  mire  *  of  love, 
commonly  introduced  by  a  42.  sir-reverence,  proposed  by 
quibble  on  the  word  'done,'  Singer  frcan  Q^  ' sir,  reverence. ' 
and  probably  tmflattering  to  the  The  other  Qq  have  '  or  save 
person  who  was  'done.' — Pro-  you  reverence';  Ff  '  or  save  yoiu- 
verbs  were  often  quoted  as  the  reverence. ' 

sa3rings  of  some  vaguely  remem-  43.  bum  daytight,  waste  time 

bered  authority,  as  in  the  famous  (proverbial), 
collection    of    Hendyng's   pro-         45.    We  waste  our  lights  in 

verbs.  vain,  etc.  Capell's  emendation. 

41,  If  thou  art  dun,  we'll  Qq  have  :  'We  waste  our  lights 
dram  thee  from  the  mire.  This  in  vaine,  lights  lights  by  day  * ; 
refers  to  another  proverb :  'Dun  Ff:  'We  waste  our  lights  in 
is  the  mire,'  originaUy  used  in  vaine,  lights,  lights  by  day.' 

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Romeo  and  Juliet 


Take  our  good  meaning,  for  our  judgement  sits 
Five  times  in  that  ere  once  in  our  five  wits. 

Rom,  And  we  mean  well  in  going  to  this  mask ; 
But  'tis  no  wit  to  go. 

Mer.  Why,  may  one  ask  ? 

Rom,  I  dream'd  a  dream  to-night 

Mer.  And  so  did  I.     so 

Rom,  Well,  what  was  yours  ? 

Mer,  That  dreamers  often  lie. 

Rom,  In  bed  asleep,  while  they  do  dream  things 
true. 

Mer.  O,  then,  I  see  Queen  Mab  hath  been 
with  you. 
She  is  the  fairies'  midwife,  and  she  comes 
In  shape  no  bigger  than  an  agate-stone 
On  the  fore-finger  of  an  alderman, 
Drawn  with  a  team  of  little  atomies 
Athwart  men's  noses  as  they  lie  asleep ; 
Her  waggon-spokes  made  of  long  spinners'  legs, 
The  cover,  of  the  wings  of  grasshoppers,  60 

The  traces,  of  the  smallest  spider's  web. 
The  collars,  of  the  moonshine's  watery  beams. 
Her  whip,  of  cricket's  bone;  the  lash,  of  film. 
Her  waggoner,  a  small  grey-coated  gnat. 
Not  half  so  big  as  a  round  little  worm 
Prick'd  from  the  lazy  finger  of  a  maid ; 
Her  chariot  is  an  empty  hazel-nut 
Made  by  the  joiner  squirrel  or  old  grub. 
Time  out  o'  mind  the  fairies'  coachmakers. 
And  in  this  state  she  gallops  night  by  night  70 

Throt^h  lovers'  brains,  and  then  they  dream  of  love; 

47.  five  wits.      These  were  commonly  worn  in  rings, 

popularly    held    to    consist    of  57.     atomies,   atom  -  like 

'  common  wit,  imagination,  fan-  creatures, 

tasy,  estimation,  memory.'  65,    66.     Idle   fingers   were 

55.    agate -stone,  figures  cut  popularly    believed    to    breed 

in  relief  on  the  agate -stones  parasites. 

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sc.  IV  Romeo  and  Juliet 

O'er  courtiers'   knees    that   dream  on  courtesies 

straight, 
O'er  lawyers'  fingers,  who  straight  dream  on  fees, 
O'er  ladies'  lips,  who  straight  on  kisses  dream, 
Which  oft  the  angry  Mab  with  blisters  plagues. 
Because  their  breaths  with  sweetmeats  tainted  are : 
Sometime  she  gallops  o'er  a  courtier's  nose. 
And  then  dreams  he  of  smelling  out  a  suit ; 
And  sometime  comes  she  with  a  tithe-pig's  tail 
Tickling  a  parson's  nose  as  a'  lies  asleep,  80 

Then  dreams  he  of  another  benefice : 
Sometime  she  driveth  o'er  a  soldier's  neck. 
And  then  dreams  he  of  cutting  foreign  throats, 
Of  breaches,  ambuscadoes,  Spanish  blades, 
Of  healths  five-fathom  deep ;  and  then  anon 
Drums  in  his  ear,  at  which  he  starts  and  wakes. 
And  being  thus  frighted  swears  a  prayer  or  two 
And  sleeps  again.     This  is  that  very  Mab 
That  plats  the  manes  of  horses  in  the  night. 
And  bakes  the  elf-locks  in  foul  sluttish  hairs,  90 

Which,  once  untangled,  much  misfortune  bodes : 
This  is  the  hag,  when  maids  lie  on  their  backs, 
That  presses  them  and  learns  them  first  to  bear. 
Making  them  women  of  good  carriage : 
This  is  she — 

Rom,  Peace,  peace,  Mercutio,  peace ! 

Thou  talk'st  of  nothing. 

Mer.  True,  I  talk  of  dreams. 

Which  are  the  children  of  an  idle  brain. 
Begot  of  nothing  but  vain  fantasy, 
Which  is  as  thin  of  substance  as  the  air 
And  more  inconstant  than  the  wind,  who  wooes      xoo 
Even  now  the  firozen  bosom  of  the  north, 

90.  bakes  the  elf -locks,  cakes     locks.'      Hatred  of  'sluts  and 
or  dots  the  hair  of  slovens  in      sluttery'  was  one  of  the  most 
what  were  thence  called    '  elf-     pronounced  traits  of  elfdom. 
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Romeo  and  Juliet  aci 

And,  being  anger'd,  pufis  away  from  thence, 
Turning  liis  face  to  the  dew-dropping  south. 

Ben,  This   wind,   you  talk  of,  blows  us  from 
ourselves ; 
Supper  is  done,  and  we  shall  come  too  late. 

JRom,  I  fear,  too  early  :  for  my  mind  misgives 
Some  consequence  yet  hanging  in  the  stars 
Shall  bitterly  begin  his  fearful  date 
With  this  nighfs  revels,  and  expire  the  term 
Of  a  despised  life,  closed  in  my  breast, 
By  some  vile  forfeit  of  untimely  death. 
But  He,  that  hath  the  steerage  of  my  course, 
Direct  my  sail  I     On,  lusty  gentlemen. 

Ben,  Strike,  drum.  [Exeunt 


Scene  V.     A  hall  in  Capukfs  house. 

Musicians  waiting.     Enter  Servingmen,  with 
napkins. 

First  Serv,  Where 's  Potpan,  that  he  helps  not 
to  take  away?  He  shift  a  trencher!  he  scrape 
a  trencher ! 

Sec.  Serv,  When  good  manners  shall  lie  all  in 
one  or  two  men's  hands,  and  they  unwashed  too, 
'tis  a  foul  thing. 

First  Serv,  Away  with  the  joint-stools,  re- 
move the  court-cupboard,  look  to  the  plate.  Good 
thou,  save  me  a  piece  of  marchpane ;  and,  as  thou 

103. /iw*/ soQj.  QqFf  side.'  8.    court-cupboard,   the  side- 

ib.      devo  -  dropping,    rainy.  board,  on  which  the  plate  was 

The  south  wind  was  bdieved  to  displayed. 

becharged  with  noxious  vapours.  9.    marchpane,  a  sweet  con- 

109.  expire,  conclude.  fection  of  sdmonds  and  sugar, 

7.  joint-stools,  folding-chairs.  Ger.  '  Marzipan.' 

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8C.  V 


Romeo  and  Juliet 


lovest  me,  let  the  porter  let  in  Susan  Grindstone 
and  Nell.     Antony,  and  Potpan  ! 

Sec.  Serv,  Ay,  boy,  ready. 

First  Serv.  You  are  looked  for  and  called  for, 
asked  for  and  sought  for,  in  the  great  chamber. 

Sec.  Serv.  We  cannot  be  here  and  there  too. 
Cheerly,  boys;  be  brisk  awhile,  and  the  longer 
liver  take  all. 

Enter  Capulet,  with  Juliet  and  others  of  his 
house^  meeting  the  Guests  and  Maskers. 

Cap,    Welcome,  gentlemen!    ladies   that  have 

their  toes 
Unplagued  with  corns  will  have  a  bout  with  you. 
Ah  ha,  my  mistresses !  which  of  you  all 
Will  now  deny  to  dance  ?  she  that  makes  dainty. 
She,  I  '11  swear,  hath  corns ;  am  I  come  near  ye 

now? 
Welcome,  gentlemen  !  I  have  seen  the  day 
That  I  have  worn  a  visor  and  could  tell 
A  whispering  tale  in  a  fair  lady's  ear, 
Such   as  would  please:    'tis  gone,   'tis  gone,  'tis 

gone: 
You  are  welcome,  gentlemen  !     Come,  musicians, 

play. 
A  hall,  a  hall !  give  room !  and  foot  it,  girls. 

[Music  playSj  and  they  dance. 
More  light,  you  knaves ;  and  turn  the  tables  up, 
And  quench  the  fire,  the  room  is  grown  too  hot. 
Ah,  sirrah,  this  unlook'd-for  sport  comes  well. 
Nay,  sit,  nay,  sit,  good  cousin  Capulet ; 
For  you  and  I  are  past  our  dancing  days  : 
How  long  is 't  now  since  last  yourself  and  I 
Were  in  a  mask  ? 

Sec,  Cap,  By  'r  lady,  thirty  years. 

28.  A  hall,  a  hall/  Le.  clear  the  hall. 
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Romeo  and  Juliet  acti 

Cap.  What,  man  !  'tis  not  so  much,  'tis  not  so 
much : 
Tis  since  the  nuptial  of  Lucentio, 
Come  pentecost  as  quickly  as  it  will, 
Some  five  and  twenty  years ;  and  then  we  mask'd. 

Sec,  Cap,  Tis  more,  'tis  more :  his  son  is  elder,  sir ;  ^ 
His  son  is  thirty. 

Cap,  Will  you  tell  me  that  ? 

His  son  was  but  a  ward  two  years  ago. 

Rom,  [To  a  Servingman\    What  lady  is   that, 
which  doth  enrich  the  hand 
Of  yonder  knight  ? 

Serv,  I  know  not,  sir. 

Rom,  O,  she  doth  teach  the  torches  to  bum 
bright ! 
It  seems  she  hangs  upon  the  cheek  of  night 
Like  a  rich  jewel  in  an  Ethiop's  ear ; 
Beauty  too  rich  for  use,  for  earth  too  dear ! 
So  shows  a  snowy  dove  trooping  with  crows,  so 

As  yonder  lady  o'er  her  fellows  shows. 
The  measure  done,  I  '11  watch  her  place  of  stand. 
And,  touching  hers,  make  blessed  my  rude  hand. 
Did  my  heart  love  till  now  ?  forswear  it,  sight ! 
For  I  ne'er  saw  true  beauty  till  this  night 

Tyb,  This,  by  his  voice,  should  be  a  Montague. 
Fetch  me  my  rapier,  boy.     What  dares  the  slave 
Come  hither,  cover'd  with  an  antic  face, 
To  fleer  and  scorn  at  our  solemnity  ? 
Now,  by  the  stock  and  honour  of  my  kin,  60 

To  strike  him  dead  I  hold  it  not  a  sin. 

Cap,  Why,  how  now,  kinsman  !  wherefore  storm 
you  so  ? 

Tyb,  Uncle,  this  is  a  Montague,  our  foe, 
A  villain  that  is  hither  come  in  spite, 
To  scorn  at  our  solemnity  this  night 

58.  an  antic  face,  a  grotesque  mask. 
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SC.  V 


Romeo  and  Juliet 


Cap,  Young  Romeo  is  it  ? 

Tyb,  'Tis  he,  that  villain  Romeo. 

Cap,  Content  thee,  gentle  coz,  let  him  alone ; 
He  bears  him  like  a  portly  gentleman ; 
And,  to  say  truth,  Verona  brags  of  him 
To  be  a  virtuous  and  well  governed  youth  :  70 

I  would  not  for  the  wealth  of  all  the  town 
Here  in  my  house  do  him  disparagement : 
Therefore  be  patient,  take  no  note  of  him : 
It  is  my  will,  the  which  if  thou  respect, 
Show  a  fair  presence  and  put  off  these  frowns, 
An  ill-beseeming  semblance  for  a  feast. 

Tyb,  It  fits,  when  such  a  villain  is  a  guest : 
I  '11  not  endure  him. 

Cap,  He  shall  be  endured : 

What,  goodman  boy !  I  say,  he  shall :  go  to ; 
Am  I  the  master  here,  or  you  ?  go  to.  80 

You  '11  not  endure  him  !     God  shall  mend  my  soul ! 
You  11  make  a  mutiny  among  my  guests  ! 
You  will  set  cock-a-hoop !  you  '11  be  the  man ! 

Tyb,  Why,  uncle,  'tis  a  shame. 

Cap,  Go  to,  go  to ; 

You  are  a  saucy  boy :  is 't  so,  indeed  ? 
This  trick  may  chance  to  scathe  you,  I  know  what : 
You  must  contrary  me !  marry,  'tis  time. 
Well  said,  my  hearts !     You  are  a  princox ;  go : 
Be  quiet,  or — More  light,  more  light !    For  shame  I 
I  '11  make  you  quiet     What,  cheerly,  my  hearts !      90 

T^b,  Patience  perforce  with  wilful  choler  meeting 
Makes  my  flesh  tremble  in  their  different  greeting. 
I  will  withdraw :  but  this  intrusion  shall 
Now  seeming  sweet  convert  to  bitterest  g2^,\Exit. 

68.  portly,  of  good  carriage,  88.  princox,  pert  boy. 

well-bred. 

83.    set  cock-a-hoop,   pick  a         91.  Patience  perforce,  erdofciciA 

quarrel,  make  a  disturbance.  patience. 

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Romeo  and  Juliet  act  i 

Rom.  \ToJuliei\  If  I  pro£uie  with  my  unworthiest 
hand 

This  holy  shrine,  the  gentle  sin  is  this : 
My  lips,  two  blushing  pilgrims,  ready  stand 

To  smooth  that  rough  touch  with  a  tender  kiss. 
Jul,  Good  pilgrim,  you  do  wrong  your  hand  too 
much. 

Which  mannerly  devotion  shows  in  this ;  xoo 

For  saints  have  hands  that  pilgrims'  hands  do  touch, 

And  palm  to  palm  is  holy  palmers'  kiss. 
Rom,  Have  not  saints  lips,  and  holy  palmers  too  ? 
Jul,  Ay,  pilgrim,  lips  that  they  must  use  in  prayer. 
Rom,  O,  then,  dear  saint,  let  lips  do  what  hands  do ; 

They  pray,  grant  thou,  lest  faith  turn  to  despair. 
Jul,    Saints    do    not    move,    though    grant    for 

prayers'  sake. 
Rom,    Then  move  not,  while  my  prayer's  effect 

I  take. 
Thus  from  my  lips,  by  yours,  my  sin  is  purged. 
Jul,  Then  have  my  lips  the  sin  that  they  have 

took.  xxo 

Rom.  Sin  from  my  lips  ?    O  trespass  sweetly  urged  ! 

Give  me  my  sin  again. 
Jul,  You  kiss  by  the  book. 

Nurse,    Madam,    your  mother   craves   a  word 
with  you. 

Rom,  What  is  her  mother  ? 

Nurse,  Marry,  bachelor, 

Her  mother  is  the  lady  of  the  house. 
And  a  good  lady,  and  a  wise  and  virtuous : 
I  nursed  her  daughter,  that  you  talk'd  withal ; 
I  tell  you,  he  that  can  lay  hold  of  her 

96.  the  gentle  sin ;  probably,  with  the  pious  pilgrims.      The 

as  Ten  Brink  (/.  B.  xiii.  370)  sin  is   thus  a  'gentle'  one  in 

suggested,   with    a    play  upon  spite  of  its  '  profanity. '     L. 
'Gentile,'  heathen,  in  contrast  iia.  by  the  book,  hy  Tvl<t, 

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SC.  V 


Romeo  and  Juliet 


Shall  have  the  chinks. 

Rom,  Is  she  a  Capulet  ? 

0  dear  account !  my  life  is  my  foe's  debt  xao 
Ben,  Away,  be  gone ;  the  sport  is  at  the  best. 
Rom,  Ay,  so  I  fear ;  the  more  is  my  unrest. 

Cap,  Nay,  gentlemen,  prepare  not  to  be  gone ; 
We  have  a  trifling  foolish  banquet  towards. 
Is  it  e'en  so  ?  why,  then,  I  thank  you  all ; 

1  thank  you,  honest  gentlemen ;  good  night. 
More  torches  here !     Come  on  then,  let 's  to  bed. 
Ah,  sirrah,  by  my  fay,  it  waxes  late : 

1 11  to  my  rest.     \Exeunt  all  but  Juliet  and  Nurse, 

Jul.  Come  hither,  nurse.     What  is  yond  gentle- 
man ?  130 

Nurse,  The  son  and  heir  of  old  Tiberio. 

Jul,  What 's  he  that  now  is  going  out  of  door  ? 

Nurse,  Marry,  that,  I  think,  be  young  Petrucio. 

Jul,  What's  he  that  follows  there,  that  would 
not  dance? 

Nurse,  I  know  not. 

Jul,  Go,  ask  his  name :  if  he  be  married, 
My  grave  is  like  to  be  my  wedding  bed. 

Nurse,  His  name  is  Romeo,  and  a  Montague ; 
The  only  son  of  your  great  enemy. 

Jul,  My  only  love  sprung  from  my  only  hate  !     140 
Too  early  seen  unknown,  and  known  too  late ! 
Prodigious  birth  of  love  it  is  to  me. 
That  I  must  love  a  loathed  enemy. 

Nurse,  What 's  this  ?  what 's  this  ? 

Jul,  A  rhyme  I  leam'd  even  now 

Of  one  I  danced  withal.    \pne  calls  within  *  Juliet' 

Nurse,  Anon,  anon ! 

Come,  let 's  away ;  the  strangers  all  are  gone. 

\Exeunt, 

119.  ^Af/i^  (colloquial),  coin,  124.  banquet,  Atss^xX.. 

money.  142.  Prodigious,  monstrous. 

VOL.  VII  433  2  F 


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Romeo  and  Juliet  act  u 


ACT  II 

PROLOGUE. 

Enter  Chorus. 

Char,  Now  old  desire  doth  in  his  death-bed  lie, 

And  young  affection  gapes  to  be  his  heir ; 
That  feir  for  which  love  groan'd  for  and  would  die, 

With  tender  Juliet  matched,  is  now  not  fair. 
Now  Romeo  is  beloved  and  loves  again, 

Alike  bewitched  by  the  charm  of  looks, 
But  to  his  foe  supposed  he  must  complain. 

And  she  steal  love's  sweet   bait  from  fearful 
hooks : 
Being  held  a  foe,  he  may  not  have  access 

To  breathe  such  vows  as  lovers  use  to  swear ; 
And  she  as  much  in  love,  her  means  much  less 

To  meet  her  new-beloved  any  where : 
But  passion  lends  them  power,  time  means,  to 

meet. 
Tempering  extremities  with  extreme  sweet.    \Exit. 


Scene  I.     A  lane  by  the  wall  of  Capulefs 
orchard. 

Enter  Romeo. 

Rom.  Can  I  go  forward  when  my  heart  is  here  ? 
Turn  back,  dull  earth,  and  find  thy  centre  out 
\He  climbs  the  wall^  and  leaps  dawn  within  it 

3.  gapes^  longs. 
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Enter  Benvolio  and  Mercutio. 

Ben.  Romeo !  my  cousin  Romeo  ! 

Mer.  He  is  wise ; 

And,  on  my  life,  hath  stoFn  him  home  to  bed. 

Ben,  He  ran  this  way,  and  leap'd  this  orchard 
wall: 
Call,  good  Mercutip. 

Mer,  Nay,  I  '11  conjure  too. 

Romeo !  humours  !  madman  !  passion  !  lover  ! 
Appear  thou  in  the  likeness  of  a  sigh  : 
Speak  but  one  rhyme,  and  I  am  satisfied ; 
Cry  but  *  Ay  me ! '    pronounce   but   *  love '   and 

*  dove ; '  w 

Speak  to  my  gossip  Venus  one  fair  word, 
One  nick-name  for  her  purblind  son  and  heir, 
Young  Adam  Cupid,  he  that  shot  so  trim. 
When  King  Cophetua  loved  the  beggar-maid  ! 
He  heareth  not,  he  stirreth  not,  he  moveth  not ; 
The  ape  is  dead,  and  I  must  conjure  him. 
I  conjure  thee  by  Rosaline's  bright  eyes. 
By  her  high  forehead  and  her  scarlet  lip. 
By  her  fine  foot,  straight  leg  and  quivering  thigh 
And  the  demesnes  that  there  adjacent  lie,  20 

That  in  thy  likeness  thou  appear  to  us ! 

Ben,  An  if  he  hear  thee,  thou  wilt  anger  him. 

Mer,  This  cannot  anger  him :  'twould  anger  him 
To  raise  a  spuit  in  his  mistress*  circle 

13.    Adam  Cupid.     Upton's  14.     ICing    Cophetua.      The 

emendation  for  QqFf 'Abraham  ballad  of  King  Cophetua  and 

Cupid. '  The  emendation  is  made  the  Beggar  -  maid  contained  a 

almost   certain  by  Much  Ado,  stanza : — 

i.  I.  260  :  *  He  that  hits  me.  let  xhe  blinded  boy  that  shoots  so  trim 

him  be  clapped  on  the  shoulder,  From  heaven  down  did  hie  \ 

and  called  Adam , ' — the  allusion  He  drew  a  dart  and  shot  at  him 

being  to  Adam  Bell,  a  famous  ^  ^^^  ^^« »»«  ^'^  ^**- 

archer  whose  prowess  was  cele-  i6.    ape  (used  endearingly), 

brated  in  ballads.  •  poor  fellow.' 

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Romeo  and  Juliet  act  n 

Of  some  strange  nature,  letting  it  there  stand 
Till  she  had  laid  it  and  conjured  it  down  ; 
That  were  some  spite :  my  invocation 
Is  fair  and  honest,  and  in  his  mistress'  name 
I  conjure  only  but  to  raise  up  him. 

Ben,  Come,  he  hath  hid  himself  among  these 
trees,  30 

To  be  consorted  with  the  humorous  night : 
Blind  is  his  love  and  best  befits  the  dark. 

Mer,  If  love  be  blind,  love  cannot  hit  the  mark. 
Now  will  he  sit  under  a  medlar  tree. 
And  wish  his  mistress  were  that  kind  of  fruit 
As  maids  call  medlars,  when  they  laugh  alone. 
O,  Romeo,  that  she  were,  O,  that  she  were 
An  open  et  caetera,  thou  a  poperin  pear ! 
Romeo,  good  night :  1 11  to  my  truckle-bed ; 
This  field-bed  is  too  cold  for  me  to  sleep :  40 

Come,  shall  we  go  ? 

Ben.  Go,  then ;  for  'tis  in  vain 

To  seek  him  here  that  means  not  to  be  found. 

\Exeunt, 


Scene  II.     Capulefs  orchard. 

Enter  Romeo. 

Rom.  He  jests  at  scars  that  never  felt  a  woimd« 
\^  Juliet  appears  above  at  a  window. 
But,    soft !    what   light   through    yonder   window 
breaks? 

31.   humorous,  humid,  moist  40-42.  The  text  is  here  a  com- 

(with  a  quibble  on  the  common  position  of    readings  from   Q^ 

sense,  capricious).  and  Qj. 

39.  truckle-bed, 2iyxdT\mTimg 

on   wheels,    thus    able    to    be  40.  JUld^bed,  i.e.  one  out  of 

pushed  under  another  one.  doors. 

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8c.  n  Romeo  and  Juliet 

It  is  the  east,  and  Juliet  is  the  sun. 

Arise,  fair  sun,  and  kill  the  envious  moon, 

Who  is  already  sick  and  pale  with  grief. 

That  thou  her  maid  art  far  more  fair  than  she : 

Be  not  her  maid,  since  she  is  envious ; 

Her  vestal  livery  is  but  sick  and  green 

And  none  but  fools  do  wear  it ;  cast  it  off. 

It  is  my  lady,  O,  it  is  my  love !  xo 

O,  that  she  knew  she  were ! 

She  speaks,  yet  she  says  nothing :  what  of  that  ? 

Her  eye  discourses ;  I  will  answer  it 

I  am  too  bold,  'tis  not  to  me  she  speaks : 

Two  of  the  faurest  stars  in  all  the  heaven. 

Having  some  business,  do  entreat  her  eyes 

To  twinkle  in  their  spheres  till  they  return. 

What  if  her  eyes  were  there,  they  in  her  head  ? 

The  brightness  of  her  cheek  would  shame  those  stars. 

As  daylight  doth  a  lamp ;  her  eyes  in  heaven  so 

Would  through  the  airy  region  stream  so  bright 

That  birds  would  sing  and  think  it  were  not  night. 

See,  how  she  leans  her  cheek  upon  her  hand ! 

O,'  that  I  were  a  glove  upon  that  hand, 

That  I  might  touch  that  cheek ! 

Jul.  Ay  me ! 

Rom,  She  speaks : 

O,  speak  again,  bright  angel !  for  thou  art 
As  glorious  to  this  night,  being  o'er  my  head, 
As  is  a  winged  messenger  of  heaven 
Unto  the  white-upturned  wondering  eyes 
Of  mortals  that  fall  back  to  gaze  on  him  30 

When  he  bestrides  the  lazy-pacing  clouds 
And  sails  upon  the  bosom  of  the  air. 

Jul    O  Romeo,   Romeo  !    wherefore  art  thou 
Romeo  ? 

8,  9.  Her  vestal  livery  .  .  .      allusion  to  the  white  and  green 
wear    it ;     probably    with    an      livery  of  the  court  fool. 

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Romeo  and  Juliet  act  n 

Deny  thy  father  and  refuse  thy  name ; 
Or,  if  thou  wilt  not,  be  but  sworn  my  love, 
And  1 11  no  longer  be  a  Capulet. 

Rom,    [Aside]  Shall  I  hear  more,  or  shall   I 
speak  at  this  ? 

/u/.  Tis  but  thy  name  that  is  my  enemy ; 
Thou  art  thyself,  though  not  a  Montague. 
What 's  Montague  ?  it  is  nor  hand,  nor  foot,  40 

Nor  arm,  nor  face,  nor  any  other  part 
Belonging  to  a  man.     O,  be  some  other  name  ! 
What 's  in  a  name  ?  that  which  we  call  a  rose 
By  any  other  name  would  smell  as  sweet ; 
So  Romeo  would,  were  he  not  Romeo  call'd. 
Retain  that  dear  perfection  which  he  owes 
Without  that  title.     Romeo,  doflF  thy  name. 
And  for  thy  name,  which  is  no  part  of  thee 
Take  all  myself 

Rom.  I  take  thee  at  thy  word  : 

Call  me  but  love,  and  I  '11  be  new  baptized ;  50 

Henceforth  I  never  will  be  Romeo. 

/u/.  What  man  art  thou  that,  thus  bescreen'd 
in  night. 
So  stumblest  on  my  counsel  ? 

Rom,  By  a  name 

I  know  not  how  to  tell  thee  who  I  am : 
My  name,  dear  saint,  is  hateful  to  myself, 
Because  it  is  an  enemy  to  thee ; 
Had  I  it  written,  I  would  tear  the  word. 

/u/.  My  ears  have  not  yet  drunk  a  hundred  words 
Of  that  tongue's  utterance,  yet  I  know  the  sound : 
Art  thou  not  Romeo  and  a  Montague  ?  60 

Rom,  Neither,  feir  maid,  if  either  thee  dislike. 

Jul,    How  camest  thou   hither,  tell   me,    and 
wherefore  ? 
The  orchard  walls  are  high  and  hard  to  climb, 

61.  dislike,  displease. 

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sc.  a 


Romeo  and  Juliet 


And  the  place  death,  considering  who  thou  art, 
If  any  of  my  kinsmen  find  thee  here. 

Jiom.  With  love's  light  wings  did  I  o'er-perch 
these  walls ; 
For  stony  limits  cannot  hold  love  out, 
And  what  love  can  do,  that  dares  love  attempt ; 
Therefore  thy  kinsmen  are  no  let  to  me. 
/u/.  If  they  do  see  thee,  they  will  murder  thee.    70 
J^om.  Alack,  there  lies  more  peril  in  thine  eye 
Than   twenty   of  their   swords :    look   thou    but 

sweet, 
And  I  am  proof  against  their  enmity. 
Ju/,  I  would  not  for  the  world  they  saw  thee 

here. 
J^om,   I  have  night's  cloak  to  hide  me  from 
their  sight ; 
And  but  thou  love  me,  let  them  find  me  here : 
My  life  were  better  ended  by  their  hate. 
Than  death  prorogued,  wanting  of  thy  love. 
/u/.  By  whose  direction  found'st  thou  out  this 

place? 
I^om,    By  love,  who  first  did   prompt  me  to 
inquire ;  80 

He  lent  me  counsel  and  I  lent  him  eyes. 
I  am  no  pilot ;  yet,  wert  thou  as  far 
As  that  vast  shore  wash'd  with  the  farthest  sea, 
I  would  adventure  for  such  merchandise. 
/u/.  Thou  know'st  the  mask  of  night  is  on  my 
face, 
Else  would  a  maiden  blush  bepaint  my  cheek 
For  that  which  thou  hast   heard  me  speak   to- 
night. 
Fain  would  I  dwell  on  form,  fain,  fain  deny 
What  I  have  spoke  :  but  farewell  compliment ! 
Dost  thou  love  me  ?     I  know  thou  wilt  say  *  Ay,'     90 
And  I  will  take  thy  word :  yet,  if  thou  swear'st, 

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Romeo  and  Juliet  act  n 

Thou  mayst  prove  false ;  at  lovers'  perjuries, 

They  say,  Jove  laughs.     O  gentle  Romeo, 

If  thou  dost  love,  pronounce  it  faithfully : 

Or  if  thou  think'st  I  am  too  quickly  won, 

1 11  frown  and  be  perverse  and  say  thee  nay, 

So  thou  wilt  woo ;  but  else,  not  for  the  world. 

In  truth,  fair  Montague,  I  am  too  fond. 

And  therefore  thou  mayst  think  my  'haviour  light : 

But  trust  me,  gentleman,  I  '11  prove  more  true         loo 

Than  those  that  have  more  cunning  to  be  strange. 

I  should  have  been  more  strange,  I  must  confess. 

But  that  thou  overheard'st,  ere  I  was  ware. 

My  true  love's  passion  :  therefore  pardon  me, 

And  not  impute  this  yielding  to  light  love, 

Which  the  dark  night  hath  so  discovered. 

Rom.  Lady,  by  yonder  blessed  moon  I  swear 
That  tips  with  silver  all  these  fruit-tree  tops — 

Jul,  O,  swear  not  by  the  moon,  the  inconstant 
moon. 
That  monthly  changes  in  her  circled  orb,  no 

Lest  that  thy  love  prove  likewise  variable. 

Rom.  What  shall  I  swear  by  ? 

Jul,  Do  not  swear  at  all ; 

Or,  if  thou  wilt,  swear  by  thy  gracious  self. 
Which  is  the  god  of  my  idolatry. 
And  I  '11  believe  thee. 

Rom,  If  my  heart's  dear  love — 

Jul  Well,  do  not  swear :  although  I  joy  in  thee, 
I  have  no  joy  of  this  contract  to-night : 
It  is  too  rash,  too  unadvised,  too  sudden ; 
Too  like  the  lightning,  which  doth  cease  to  be 
Ere  one  can  say  *  It  lightens.'     Sweet,  good  night !  lao 
This  bud  of  love,  by  summer's  ripening  breath, 

92.  at  lovers*  perjuries,  etc.  For  Jove  himself  sits  in  the  arurc  skies 
From  Marlowe's  translation  of  And  laughs  below  at  lovers' perjuries. 
Ovid's  Ars  Amat.,  bk.  i : —  L. 

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sc.  II  Romeo  and  Juliet 

May  prove  a  beauteous  flower  when  next  we  meet. 
Good  night,  good  night !  as  sweet  repose  and  rest 
Come  to  thy  heart  as  that  within  my  breast ! 

Rom,  O,  wilt  thou  leave  me  so  unsatisfied  ? 

Jul  What  satisfaction  canst  thou  have  to-night  ? 

Rom,  The  exchange  of  thy  love's  faithful  vow 
for  mine. 

Jill,   I  gave  thee  mine  before  thou  didst  re- 
quest it : 
And  yet  I  would  it  were  to  give  again. 

Rom,  Wouldst  thou  withdraw  it  ?  for  what  pur- 
pose, love?  130 

Jul  But  to  be  frank,  and  give  it  thee  again. 
And  yet  I  wish  but  for  the  thing  I  have : 
My  bounty  is  as  boundless  as  the  sea, 
My  love  as  deep ;  the  more  I  give  to  thee, 
The  more  I  have,  for  both  are  infinite. 
I  hear  some  noise  within;  dear  love,  adieu  ! 

\Nurse  calls  within. 
Anon,  good  nurse !     Sweet  Montague,  be  true. 
Stay  but  a  little,  I  will  come  again.      [Exit,  above. 

Rom,  O  blessed,  blessed  night !     I  am  afeard, 
Being  in  night,  all  this  is  but  a  dream,  140 

Too  flattering-sweet  to  be  substantial. 

Re-enter  Juliet,  above, 

Jul  Three  words,  dear  Romeo,  and  good  night 
indeed. 
If  that  thy  bent  of  love  be  honourable. 
Thy  purpose  marriage,  send  me  word  to-morrow. 
By  one  that  I  '11  procure  to  come  to  thee, 
Where  and  what  time  thou  wilt  perform  the  rite. 
And  all  my  fortunes  at  thy  foot  I  '11  lay 
And  follow  thee  my  lord  throughout  the  world. 

134;  as  thatt  le.  as  to  that  141.    substantial    (four    syl- 

heart,  etc.  lables). 

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Romeo  and  Juliet 


ACT  n 


Nurse,  [  WHkin\  Madam ! 
Jul.  I  come,  anon. — But  if  thou  meanest  not 
well,  xso 

I  do  beseech  thee — 

Nurse.     [  Within\  Madam  1 
Jul.  By  and  by,  I  come : — 

To  cease  thy  suit,  and  leave  me  to  my  grief: 
To-morrow  will  I  send 

Rom.  So  thrive  my  soul — 

Jul.  A  thousand  times  good  night  f 

[Extl,  above. 
Rom,  A  thousand  times  the  worse,  to  want  thy 
light. 
Love  goes  toward  love,  as  schoolboys  from  their 

books, 
But  love  from  love,  toward  school  with  heavy  looks. 

\Retiring. 

Re-enter  Juliet,  above. 

Jul.    Hist !   Romeo,  hist !     O,  for  a  falconer's 
voice, 
To  lure  this  tassel-gentle  back  again !  x6o 

Bondage  is  hoarse,  and  may  not  speak  aloud ; 
Else  would  I  tear  the  cave  where  Echo  lies, 
And  make  her  airy  tongue  more  hoarse  than  mine. 
With  repetition  of  my  Romeo's  name.     Romeo  ! 

Rom.  It  is  my  soul  that  calls  upon  my  name : 
How  silver-sweet  sound  lovers'  tongues  by  night. 
Like  softest  music  to  attending  ears ! 

Jul.  Romeo! 

Rom.  \li^  sweet  ? 

151.  By  and  by,  directly.  '  Madam/   Q,,  ,  and   Fi    *  my 

160.     tassel -gentle,     tercel-  neece.'     The  later  Quartos  alter 

gentle,  the  male  of  the  falcon.  this   to    'my   dear,'    the   later 

164.     Romeo:     inserted    by  Folios    to    'my    sweet'     The 

Camb.  edd.  from  Q^.  former,  though  adopted  by  the 

168.  My  sweet.  Qi  has  Camb.  edd..  strikes  a  jarring  note. 
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sc.  II  Romeo  and  Juliet 

Jul.  At  what  o'clock  to-morrow 

Shall  I  send  to  thee? 

Rom,  At  the  hour  of  nine. 

Jul  I  will  not  fail :  'tis  twenty  years  till  then.      170 
I  have  forgot  why  I  did  call  thee  back. 

Rom,  Let  me  stand  here  till  thou  remember  it. 

Jul,  I  shall  forget,  to  have  thee  still  stand  there, 
Remembering  how  I  love  thy  company. 

Rom,  And  I  '11  still  stay,  to  have  thee  still  forget. 
Forgetting  any  other  home  but  this. 

Jul,  'Tis  almost  morning;  I  would  have  thee 
gone: 
And  yet  no  further  than  a  wanton's  bird ; 
Who  lets  it  hop  a  little  from  her  hand, 
Like  a  poor  prisoner  in  his  twisted  gyves,  180 

And  with  a  silk  thread  plucks  it  back  again. 
So  loving-jealous  of  his  liberty. 

Rom,  I  would  I  were  thy  bird. 

Jul,  Sweet,  so  would  I : 

Yet  I  should  kill  thee  with  much  cherishing. 
Good  night,  good  night!    parting  is  such  sweet 

sorrow. 
That  I  shall  say  good  night  till  it  be  morrow. 

\Exit  above, 

Rom,  Sleep  dwell  upon  thine  eyes,  peace  in  thy 
breast ! 
Would  I  were  sleep  and  peace,  so  sweet  to  Test ! 
Hence  will  I  to  my  ghostly  father's  cell. 
His  help  to  crave,  and  my  dear  hap  to  tell.  \Eocit  190 


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Scene  III.     Friar  Laurences  cell. 

Enter  Friar  Laurence,  with  a  basket, 

Fri,   L.    The  grey-eyed  mom   smiles  on  the 
frowning  night, 
Chequering  the  eastern  clouds  with  streaks  of  light. 
And  fleckled  darkness  like  a  drunkard  reels 
From  forth  day's  path  and  Titan's  fiery  wheels : 
Now,  ere  the  sun  advance  his  burning  eye, 
The  day  to  cheer  and  night's  dank  dew  to  dry, 
I  must  up-fill  this  osier  cage  of  ours 
With  baleful  weeds  and  precious-juiced  flowers. 
The  earth  that 's  nature's  mother  is  her  tomb ; 
What  is  her  burying  grave,  that  is  her  womb ;  to 

And  from  her  womb  children  of  divers  kind 
We  sucking  on  her  natural  bosom  find. 
Many  for  many  virtues  excellent. 
None  but  for  some,  and  yet  all  different 
O,  mickle  is  the  powerful  grace  that  lies 
In  herbs,  plants,  stones,  and  their  true  qualities : 
For  nought  so  vile  that  on  the  earth  doth  live 
But  to  the  earth  some  special  good  doth  give. 
Nor  aught  so  good  but,  strain'd  from  that  fair  use. 
Revolts  from  true  birth,  stumbling  on  abuse  :  ao 

Virtue  itself  turns  vice,  being  misapplied ; 
And  vice  sometime  *s  by  action  dignified. 
Within  the  infant  rind  of  this  weak  flower 
Poison  hath  residence,  and  medicine  power  : 

I.    grey-eyed;    the   epithet  ^.Jiery;  so  Qi ;    'burning,' 

describes  the  bright  clear  blue     Qj. 

of  early  morning  oHer  cage,  osier  basket 

3.  fleckled;  so  Qq  ( '  fleckeld  ) ;  * 

an  unexampled  but  picturesque  23.  weak,  so  Qq  Ff.     Most 

formation  from  ' flecked '  on  the  edd.  alter  with  Q^  to  'small,' 

analogy  of  '  speckled '  etc.  for  no  sufficient  reason. 

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8c.  Ill  Romeo  and  Juliet 

For  this,  being  smelt,  with  that  part  cheers  each 

part; 
Being  tasted,  slays  all  senses  with  the  heart 
Two  such  opposed  kings  encamp  them  still 
In  man  as  well  as  herbs,  grace  and  rude  will ; 
And  where  the  worser  is  predominant. 
Full  soon  the  canker  death  eats  up  that  plant  30 

Enter  Romeo. 

Rom.  Good  morrow,  father. 

Frt,  L,  Benedicite ! 

What  early  tongue  so  sweet  saluteth  me  ? 
Young  son,  it  argues  a  distempered  head 
So  soon  to  bid  good  morrow  to  thy  bed : 
Care  keeps  his  watch  in  every  old  man's  eye, 
And  where  care  lodges,  sleep  will  never  lie ; 
But  where  unbruised  youth  with  unstuff'd  brain 
Doth  couch  his  limbs,  there  golden  sleep  doth 

reign : 
Therefore  thy  earliness  doth  me  assure 
Thou  art  up-roused  by  some  distemperature ;  40 

Or  if  not  so,  then  here  I  hit  it  right, 
Our  Romeo  hath  not  been  in  bed  to-night 

Rom.  That  last  is  true;  the  sweeter  rest  was 
mine. 

Frt\  L.  God  pardon  sin  I  wast  thou  with  Rosa- 
line ? 

Rom,  With  Rosaline,  my  ghostly  father?  no; 
I  have  forgot  that  name  and  that  name 's  woe. 

Frt\  L,  That 's  my  good  son :  but  where  hast 
thou  been,  then  ? 

Rom,  I  *11  tell  thee,  ere  thou  ask  it  me  again. 
I  have  been  feasting  with  mine  enemy, 
Where  on  a  sudden  one  hath  wounded  me,  50 

40.  distemperature,  disease. 

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Romeo  and  Juliet  act  n 

That 's  by  me  wounded :  both  our  remedies 
Within  thy  help  and  holy  physic  lies : 
I  bear  no  hatred,  blessed  man,  for,  lo, 
My  intercession  likewise  steads  my  foe. 

Fri,  L,  Be  plain,  good  son,  and  homely  in  thy 

drift; 
Riddling  confession  finds  but  riddling  shrift 
Rom,  Then  plainly  know  my  heart's  dear  love  is 

set 
On  the  fair  daughter  of  rich  Capulet : 
As  mine  on  hers,  so  hers  is  set  on  mine ; 
And  all  combined,  save  what  thou  must  combine     60 
By  holy  marriage :  when  and  where  and  how 
We  met,  we  woo'd  and  made  exchange  of  vow, 
I  '11  tell  thee  as  we  pass  ;  but  this  I  pray. 
That  thou  consent  to  marry  us  to-day. 

Fri,  L.  Holy  Saint  Francis,  what  a  change  is 

here! 
Is  Rosaline,  whom  thou  didst  love  so  dear. 
So  soon  forsaken  ?  young  men's  love  then  lies 
Not  truly  in  their  hearts,  but  in  their  eyes. 
Jesu  Maria,  what  a  deal  of  brine 
Hath  wash'd  thy  sallow  cheeks  for  Rosaline !  70 

How  much  salt  water  thrown  away  in  waste. 
To  season  love,  that  of  it  doth  not  taste ! 
The  sun  not  yet  thy  sighs  from  heaven  clears. 
Thy  old  groans  ring  yet  in  my  ancient  ears ; 
Lo,  here  upon  thy  cheek  the  stain  doth  sit 
Of  an  old  tear  that  is  not  wash'd  off  yet : 
If  e'er  thou  wast  thyself  and  these  woes  thine. 
Thou  and  these  woes  were  all  for  Rosaline : 
And  art  thou  changed  ?  pronounce  this  sentence 

then, 

51.    both  our  remedies t   the     oommonplace  that  the  sighs  of 
cure  of  us  both.  love  as  they  rose  formed  clouds. 

73.    Alluding   to  the  poetic     Cf.  i.  i.  196. 
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sc.  IV  Romeo  and  Juliet 

Women  may  fall,  when  there 's  no  strength  in  men,   so 

Rom,  Thou  chid'st  me  oft  for  loving  Rosaline. 

Fri,  Z.  For  doting,  not  for  loving,  pupil  mine. 

Rom,  And  bad'st  me  bury  love. 

Fri,  L,  Not  in  a  grave. 

To  lay  one  in,  another  out  to  have. 

Rom,  I  pray  thee,  chide  not :  she  whom  I  love 
now 
Doth  grace  for  grace  and  love  for  love  allow ; 
The  other  did  not  so. 

Fri,  L,  O,  she  knew  well 

Thy  love  did  read  by  rote  and  could  not  spell. 
But  come,  young  waverer,  come,  go  with  me. 
In  one  respect  I  '11  thy  assistant  be ;  90 

For  this  alliance  may  so  happy  prove, 
To  turn  your  households'  rancour  to  pure  love. 

Rom,  O,  let  us  hence ;  I  stand  on  sudden  haste. 

Fri,  L,  Wisely  and  slow ;  they  stumble  that  run 
fast  \Eoceunt, 


Scene  IV.     A  street. 

Enter  Benvolio  and  Mercutio. 

Mer,  Where  the  devil  should  this  Romeo  be  ? 
Came  he  not  home  to-night  ? 

Ben,  Not  to  his  father's ;  I  spoke  with  his  man. 

Mer,  Ah,  that  same  pale  hard-hearted  wench, 
that  Rosaline, 
Torments  him  so,  that  he  will  sure  run  mad. 

Ben,  Tybalt,  the  kinsman  of  old  Capulet, 
Hath  sent  a  letter  to  his  father's  house. 

Mer,  A  challenge,  on  my  life. 

90.  In  one  respect^  in  virtue         93.  /  stand  on^  have  urgent 
of  one  consideration.  need  of. 

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Romeo  and  Juliet  act  u 

Ben.  Romeo  will  answer  it. 

Mer.  Any  man  that  can  write  may  answer  a  letter,   xo 

Ben.  Nay,  he  will  answer  the  letter's  master, 
how  he  dares,  being  dared 

Mer.  Alas,  poor  Romeo !  he  is  already  dead ; 
stabbed  with  a  white  wench's  black  eye;  shot 
thorough  the  ear  with  a  love-song ;  the  very  pin 
of  his  heart  cleft  with  the  blind  bow-boy's  butt- 
shaft  :  and  is  he  a  man  to  encounter  Tybalt  ? 

Ben,  Why,  what  is  Tybalt  ? 

Mer.  More  than  prince  of  cats,  I  can  tell  you. 
O,  he  is  the  courageous  captain  of  compliments,  ao 
He  fights  as  you  sing  prick-song,  keeps  time, 
distance,  and  proportion;  rests  me  his  minim 
rest,  one,  two,  and  the  third  in  your  bosom :  the 
very  butcher  of  a  silk  button,  a  duellist,  a  duel- 
list; a  gentleman  of  the  very  first  house,  of  the 
first  and  second  cause :  ah,  the  immortal  passado  I 
the  punto  reverso !  the  hai  1 

Ben.  The  what? 

Mer,  The  pox  of  such  antic,  lisping,  affecting 
fantasticoes ;  these  new  tuners  of  accents !     *  By  3© 
Jesu,  a  very  good  blade!    a  very  tall  man!    a 
very  good  whore ! '     Why,  is  not  this  a  lament- 

14.  shot ;  so  Qj.     Qj  *  run.'  an  adept  in  the Jirst  and  second 

15.  pin,  centre  of  the  target,  and  other  'causes,'  which  were 
bull's-eye.  held    in    duellist    etiquette    to 

16.  butt-shaft,  an  arrow  used  justify  a  duel    Cf.  Touchstone's 
for  shooting  at  butts.  '  We  met,  and  found  the  quarrd 

19.  More  than  prince  of  cats,      was  upon   the  seventh  cause,' 
Tybert,    or    Tybalt,    was    the     As  You  Like  It,  v.  4. 

name  of  the  cat  in  Reynard  the         26.  passado,  thrust,  in  fencing. 
Fox.  27.   punto  reverso,   a   back- 

20.  captain  of  compliments,      handed  stroke. 

master  of  etiquette.  27.  hai  (Ital.  '  thou  hast  it '). 

•    21.    prick-song,    music  sung  a  home- thrust 

from  notes.  29.      affecting    fantasticoes^ 

^S.  of  theveryjirst  house,  etc.,  affected    coxcombs;     so     Qy, 

of  the  highest  rank  as  a  duellist ;  Q,,,  F^  '  phantades. ' 

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SC.  IV 


Romeo  and  Juliet 


able  thing,  grandsire,  that  we  should  be  thus 
afflicted  with  these  strange  flies,  these  fashion- 
mongers,  these  pardon-me's,  who  stand  so  much 
on  the  new  form,  that  they  cannot  sit  at  ease  on 
the  old  bench  ?     O,  their  bones,  their  bones  ! 

Enter  Romeo. 

Ben,  Here  comes  Romeo,  here  comes  Romeo. 

Mer,   Without  his  roe,   like  a  dried  herring : 

O  flesh,  flesh,  how  art  thou  fishified  !     Now  is  he  40 

for  the  numbers  that  Petrarch  flowed  in:  Laura* 

to  his  lady  was  but  a  kitchen-wench;  marry,  she 

i     had  a  better  love  to  be-rhyme  her ;  Dido  a  dowdy ; 

\    Cleopatra  a  gipsy ;  Helen  and  Hero  hildings  and 

V  harlots ;  Thisbe  a  grey  eye  or  so,  but  not  to  the 

purpose.      Signior  Romeo,   bon  jour!    there's  a 

French  salutation  to  your  French  slop.     You  gave 

us  the  counterfeit  fairly  last  night. 

Rom,  Good  morrow  to  you  both.  What  coun- 
terfeit did  I  give  you  ?  50 

Mer,  The  slip,  sir,  the  slip ;  can  you  not  con- 
ceive? 

Rom,  Pardon,  good  Mercutio,  my  business  was 
great;  and  in  such  a  case  as  mine  a  man  may 
strain  courtesy. 

Mer,  That 's  as  much  as  to  say,  such  a  case  as 
yours  constrains  a  man  to  bow  in  the  hams. 

Rom,  Meaning,  to  court'sy. 

35.  /flr(£fo«-/«^' J,  persons  con-  37.     their  bones;  perhaps  a 

dnually  saying    'pardon    me.'  play  on  Fr.  'bon' was  intended 

Q2     has     '  pardonmeas'  ;     Q,  — their  continual  exclamation, 

'  pardons  mees '  ;    Fi  '  pardon-  '  bon  ! '      Some    edd.    accord- 

mee's' ;    Q4    '  pardons  -  mees. '  ingly  print  '  bon* s.  * 

Camb.    edd.    make    'perdona-  45.  grey,  blue, 

mi's  of  the  last,   Delius  '  par-  47.   French  slop,  loose  hose, 

donnez-mois' ;    but  the  weight  a  fashion  borrowed  from  France, 

of  authority  is  for  the  English  51.  slip,  a  colloquial  term  for 

phrase.  a  counterfeit  coin. 

VOL.  VII  449  2  G 


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Romeo  and  Juliet  act  n 

Mer,  Thou  hast  most  kindly  hit  it. 

Rom,  A  most  courteous  exposition.  60 

Mer.  Nay,  I  am  the  very  pink  of  courtesy. 

Rom,  Pink  for  flower. 

Mer,  Right. 

Rom,  Why,  then  is  my  pump  well  flowered. 

Mer,  Well  said:  follow  me  this  jest  now  till 
thou  hast  worn  out  thy  pump,  that  when  the  single 
sole  of  it  is  worn,  the  jest  may  remain  after  the 
wearing  sole  singular. 

Rom,  O  single-soled  jest,  solely  singular  for 
the  singleness !  70 

Mer.  Come  between  us,  good  Benvolio;  my 
wits  faint 

Rom,  Switch  and  spurs,  switch  and  spurs;  or 
I  '11  cry  a  match. 

Mer,  Nay,  if  thy  wits  run  the  wild-goose  chase, 
I  have  done,  for  thou  hast  more  of  the  wild-goose 
in  one  of  thy  wits  than,  I  am  sure,  I  have  in  my 
whole  five :  was  I  with  you  there  for  the  goose  ? 

Rom,  Thou  wast  never  with  me  for  any  thing 
when  thou  was  not  there  for  the  goose.  80 

Mer,  I  will  bite  thee  by  the  ear  for  that  jest 

Rom,  Nay,  good  goose,  bite  not 

Mer,  Thy  wit  is  a  very  bitter  sweeting;  it  is 
a  most  sharp  sauce. 

59.  kindly,  aptly.  over  whatever  ground  the  fore- 

64.  flowered,    'pinked'  with      most     jockey     chose     to     go 
holes  in  the  shape  of  a  flower.         (Hudson). 

65.  Well  mid:  so  Qi.     Qq  78.  was  I  with  you  therefor 
Ff  'sure  wit.'  tj^  goose  f  i.e.  was  I  a  match 
>  69.      single  -  soled,     simple,  for  you  with  my  retort  ? 
childish.  „  ,  ...        ^ 

75.  wild-goose  chase,  a  kind  ^2.    good  goose,  bite  not;   a 

of  horse  race.      'Two   horses  PJ'overb. 

were  started  together,  and  which-  83.  bitter  sweeting,  a  kind  of 

ever  rider  could  get  the  lead,  the  apple  in  favour  for  apple-sauce 

other  was  obliged  to  follow  him  to  a  goose. 


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8C.  IV 


Romeo  and  Juliet 


Rom.  And  is  it  not  well  served  in  to  a  sweet 
goose  ? 

Mer,  O,  here 's  a  wit  of  cheveril,  that  stretches 
from  an  inch  narrow  to  an  ell  broad ! 

Rom,  I  stretch  it  out  for  that  word  *  broad;' 
which  added  to  the  goose,  proves  thee  far  and   90 
wide  a  broad  goose. 

Mer,  Why,  is  not  this  better  now  than  groan- 
ing for  love  ?  now  art  thou  sociable,  now  art  thou 
Romeo;  now  art  thou  what  thou  art,  by  art  as 
well  as  by  nature :  for  this  drivelling  love  is  like 
a  great  natural,  that  runs  lolling  up  and  down  to 
hide  his  bauble  in  a  hole. 

Ben,  Stop  there,  stop  there. 

Mer,  Thou  desirest  me  to  stop  in  my  tale 
against  the  hair.  100 

Ben,  Thou  wouldst  else  have  made  thy  tale 
large. 

Mer,  O,  thou  art  deceived ;  I  would  have  made 
it  short :  for  I  was  come  to  the  whole  depth  of  my 
tale ;  and  meant,  indeed,  to  occupy  the  argument 
no  longer. 

Rom,  Here 's  goodly  gear  I 

Enter  Nurse  and  Peter. 

Mer,  A  sail,  a  sail  1 

Ben,  Two,  two ;  a  shirt  and  a  smock. 

Nurse,  Peter!  no 

Peter,  Anon? 

Nurse,  My  fan,  Peter. 

87.    cheveril^  kid-skin,    pro-  point    need    be    sought   in   the 

verbially  pliable  and  elastic.  phrase,  for  Romeo's  preoccupied 

90.    far  and  wide  a   broad  mind  betrays  itself  in  his  harsh 

goose  ;  perhaps   '  far  and  wide  and  strained  wit. 

abroad,  goose ' ;  or  broad  may  97.  bauble,  the  fool's  club, 

be 'flat,  arrant.'    Staunton sug-  100.  againsUhe hair,  Skg^itaX 

gested  '  brood-goose. '     No  fine  the  grain. 

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Romeo  and  Juliet  act  n 

Mer,  Good  Peter,  to  hide  her  face ;  for  her  fan's 
the  fairer  face. 

Nurse,  God  ye  good  morrow,  gentlemen. 

Mer,  God  ye  good  den,  fair  gentlewoman. 

Nurse,  Is  it  good  den  ? 

Mer,  Tis  no  less,  I  tell  you,  for  the  bawdy 
hand  of  the  dial  is  now  upon  the  prick  of  noon. 

Nurse.  Out  upon  you  !  what  a  man  are  you !       lao 

Rom,  One,  gentlewoman,  that  God  hath  made 
himself  to  mar. 

Nurse,  By  my  troth,  it  is  well  said ;  *  for  him- 
self to  mar,'  quoth  a'  ?  Gentlemen,  can  any  of  you 
tell  me  where  I  may  find  the  young  Romeo  ? 

Rom,  I  can  tell  you;  but  young  Romeo  will 
be  older  when  you  have  found  him  than  he  was 
when  you  sought  him  :  I  am  the  youngest  of  that 
name,  for  fault  of  a  worse. 

Nurse,  You  say  well  130 

Mer,  Yea,  is  the  worst  well?  very  well  took, 
i*  faith ;  wisely,  wisely. 

Nurse,  If  you  be  he,  sir,  I  desire  some  confi- 
dence with  you. 

Ben,  She  will  indite  him  to  some  supper. 

Mer,  A  bawd,  a  bawd,  a  bawd  !     So  ho ! 

Rom,  What  hast  thou  found  ? 

Mer,  No  hare,  sir;  unless  a  hare,  sir,  in  a 
lenten  pie,  that  is  something  stale  and  hoar  ere  it 
be  spent  \Sings,  X40 

An  old  hare  hoar. 
And  an  old  hare  hoar. 
Is  very  good  meat  in  lent : 

116.   God  ye  good  den,  (God      conference, 
give  you)  ^  evening  (a  greet-  ^    ^^  ^^/  ^  ^^^^^  ^^^ 

as  It  stiU  IS  in  the  country).  j^    ^j^^  ^^^ 

119.  pruk,  point.  ** 

133.  confidence,  (blunder  for)  139.  hoar,  mouldy. 


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SC.  IV 


Romeo  and  Juliet 


But  a  hare  that  is  hoar 
Is  too  much  for  a  score, 
When  it  hoars  ere  it  be  spent. 
Romeo,  will  you  come  to  your  father's  ?  we  '11  to 
dinner  thither. 

Rom,  I  will  follow  you. 

Mer,    Farewell,    ancient   lady;   farewell,    [xm^- 150 
ing\  Mady,  lady,  lady.' 

\Exeunt  Mercutio  and  Benvolio, 

Nurse,  Marry,  farewell!  I  pray  you,  sir,  what 
saucy  merchant  was  this,  that  was  so  full  of  his 
ropery  ? 

Rom.  A  gentleman,  nurse,  that  loves  to  hear 
himself  talk,  and  will  speak  more  in  a  minute 
than  he  will  stand  to  in  a  month. 

Nurse,  An  a'  speak  any  thing  against  me, 
I'll  take  him  down,  an  a'  were  lustier  than  he 
is,  and  twenty  such  Jacks ;  and  if  I  cannot,  I  '11  160 
find  those  that  shall.  Scurvy  knave !  I  am  none 
of  his  flirt-gills;  I  am  none  of  his  skains-mates. 
And  thou  must  stand  by  too,  and  suffer  every 
knave  to  use  me  at  his  pleasure  ? 

Peter,  I  saw  no  man  use  you  at  his  pleasure ; 
if  I  had,  my  weapon  should  quickly  have  been  out, 
I  warrant  you:  I  dare  draw  as  soon  as  another 
man,  if  I  see  occasion  in  a  good  quarrel,  and  the 
law  on  my  side. 

Nurse,  Now,  afore  God,  I  am  so  vexed,  that  170 
every  part    about   me    quivers.     Scurvy   knave ! 

Z46.  hoarSt  grows  mouldy.  162.      skains  -  mates,     com- 

151.   *  lady,  lady,  lady.'   The  panions  (perhaps  from  'skein/ 

burden  of  the  ballad  of  Susanna,  as  if  originally  meaning  '  fellow- 

154.  ropery,  roguery  (with  a  spinners.'     Malone  thought  of 

suggestion  of  'rope,'  i.e.  halter),  '  skain,'  a  short  sword  ;  but  the 

but  probably  not  meant  for  a  word  must  refer  to  female  com- 

blunder,  as  it  occurs  elsewhere  panions.      It    occurs    nowhere 

in  this  sense.   Qj  has  '  rope  ripe.'  else,  and  may  be  merely  one  of 

162.  flirt-gills,  loose  women,  the  Nurse's  blunders). 

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Romeo  and  Juliet  act  h 

Pray  you,  sir,  a  word:  and  as  I  told  you,  my 
young  lady  bade  me  inquire  you  out;  what  she 
bade  me  say,  I  will  keep  to  myself:  but  first  let 
me  tell  ye,  if  ye  should  lead  her  into  a  fool's 
paradise,  as  they  say,  it  were  a  very  gross  kind 
of  behaviour,  as  they  say :  for  the  gentlewoman 
is  young;  and,  therefore,  if  you  should  deal 
double  with  her,*  truly  it  were  an  ill  thing  to 
be  offered  to  any  gentlewoman,  and  very  weak  xSo 
dealing. 

Rom.  Nurse,  commend  me  to  thy  lady  and 
mistress.     I  protest  unto  thee — 

Nurse,  Good  heart,  and,  i'  faith,  I  will  tell 
her  as  much:  Lord,  Lord,  she  will  be  a  joyful 
woman. 

Rom,  What  wilt  thou  tell  her,  nurse?  thou 
dost  not  mark  me. 

Nurse.  I  will  tell  her,  sir,  that  you  do  pro- 
test ;  which,  as  I  take  it,  is  a  gentlemanlike  offer.    190 

Rom.  Bid  her  devise 
Some  means  to  come  to  shrift  this  afternoon ; 
And  there  she  shall  at  Friar  Laurence*  cell 
Be  shrived  and  married.     Here  is  for  thy  pains. 

Nurse.  No,  truly,  sir ;  not  a  penny. 

Rom.  Go  to ;  I  say  you  shall 

Nurse.  This  afternoon,  sir?  well,  she  shall  be 
there. 

Rom.  And  stay,  good  nurse,  behind  the  abbey 
wall: 
Within  this  hour  my  man  shall  be  with  thee,  aoo 

And  bring  thee  cords  made  like  a  tackled  stair ; 
Which  to  the  high  top-gallant  of  my  joy 
Must  be  my  convoy  in  the  secret  night. 
Farewell ;  be  trusty,  and  I  '11  quit  thy  pains : 
Farewell ;  commend  me  to  thy  mistress. 

30X.  tackled  stair,  rope  ladder. 
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8C.  IV 


Romeo  and  Juliet 


Nurse,  Now  God  in  heaven  bless  thee !     Hark 
you,  sir. 

Ronu  What  say'st  thou,  my  dear  nurse  ? 

Nurse,  Is  your  man   secret?     Did   you  ne'er 
hear  say, 
Two  may  keep  counsel,  putting  one  away  ? 

Rom,  I  warrant   thee,    my  man's  as  true  as 
steel  3XO 

Nurse,  Well,  sir;  my  mistress  is  the  sweetest 
lady — Lord,  Lord!  when  'twas  a  little  prating 
thing — O,  there  is  a  nobleman  in  town,  one 
Paris,  that  would  fain  lay  knife  aboard ;  but  she, 
good  soul,  had  as  lief  see  a  toad,  a  very  toad, 
as  see  him.  I  anger  her  sometimes  and  tell  her 
that  Paris  is  the  properer  man ;  but,  I  '11  warrant 
you,  when  I  say  so,  she  looks  as  pale  as  any  clout 
in  the  versal  world.  Doth  not  rosemary  and 
Romeo  begin  both  with  a  letter  ?  aao 

Rom,  Ay,  nurse;  what  of  that?  both  with 
an  R. 

Nurse,  Ah,  mocker !  that 's  the  dog's  name ;  R 
is  for  the — No ;  I  know  it  begins  with  some  other 
letter — and  she  hath  the  prettiest  sententious  of 
it,  of  you  and  rosemary,  that  it  would  do  you 
good  to  hear  it. 

Rom,  Commend  me  to  thy  lady. 

Nurse,  Ay,  a  thousand  times.  [Exit  Romeo,] 
Peter  I  aao 

Pet,  Anon? 

Nurse.  Peter,  take  my  fan,  and  go  before,  and 
apace.  [Exeunt 

aij,  properer,  handsomer.  the  old  grammars  ;  and  a  verb 

8i8.     cloutt   sheet,    piece  of  was  even  coined,  '  to  arre,'  to 

linen.  growL        Hence    the    illiterate 

223.  the  do^s  name;  R,  as  Nurse  takes  for  'mockery*  the 

resembling  the  dog's  growl,  was  suggestion  that    '  Romeo '   and 

known  as  'the  dog's  letter'  in  '  Rosemary'  begin  with  'arre.' 

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Romeo  and  Juliet  act  n 

Scene  V.     Capulefs  orchard. 

Enter  Juliet. 

Jul.  The  clock  struck  nine  when  I  did  send 
the  nurse ; 
In  half  an  hour  she  promised  to  return. 
Perchance  she  cannot  meet  him :  that 's  not  so. 
O,  she  is  lame  !  love's  heralds  should  be  thoughts, 
Which  ten  times  faster  glide  than  the  sun's  beams, 
Driving  back  shadows  over  louring  hills  : 
Therefore  do  nimble-pinion'd  doves  draw  love, 
And  therefore  hath  the  wind-swift  Cupid  wings. 
Now  is  the  sun  upon  the  highmost  hill 
Of  this  day's  journey,  and  from  nine  till  twelve  i» 

Is  three  long  hours,  yet  she  is  not  come. 
Had  she  affections  and  warm  youthful  blood, 
She  would  be  as  swift  in  motion  as  a  ball ; 
My  words  would  bandy  her  to  my  sweet  love. 
And  his  to  me  : 

But  old  folks,  many  feign  as  they  were  dead ; 
Unwieldy,  slow,  heavy  and  pale  as  lead. 
O  God,  she  comes  ! 

Enter  Nurse  and  Peter. 

O  honey  nurse,  what  news  ? 
Hast  thou  met  with  him  ?     Send  thy  man  away. 
Nurse.  Peter,  stay  at  the  gate.  [Exit  Peter,    ao 

Jul   Now,  good  sweet   nurse, — O  Lord,  why 
look'st  thou  sad  ? 
Though  news  be  sad,  yet  tell  them  merrily ; 
If  good,  thou  shamest  the  music  of  sweet  news 
By  playing  it  to  me  with  so  sour  a  face. 
Nurse.  I  am  a-weary,  give  me  leave  awhile. 

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8c.  V  Romeo  and  Juliet 

Fie,   how  my  bones  ache!  what  a  jaunce  have 

I  had! 
Jul,    I   would   thou   hadst    my   bones,    and   I 

thy  news. 
Nay,  come,  I  pray  thee,  speak ;  good,  good  nurse, 

speak. 
Nurse.  Jesu,   what  haste?   can   you   not  stay 

awhile  ? 
Do  you  not  see  that  I  am  out  of  breath  ?  30 

Jul  How  art  thou  out  of  breath,  when  thou 

hast  breath 
To  say  to  me  that  thou  art  out  of  breath  ? 
The  excuse  that  thou  dost  make  in  this  delay 
Is  longer  than  the  tale  thou  dost  excuse. 
Is  thy  news  good,  or  bad  ?  answer  to  that ; 
Say  either,  and  I  '11  stay  the  circumstance : 
Let  me  be  satisfied,  is 't  good  or  bad  ? 

Nurse,  Well,  you  have  made  a  simple  choice ; 
you  know  not  how  to  choose  a  man :  Romeo  !  no, 
not  he ;  though  his  face  be  better  than  any  man's,  40 
yet  his  leg  excels  all  men's ;  and  for  a  hand,  and 
a  foot,  and  a  body,  though  they  be  not  to  be 
talked  on,  yet  they  are  past  compare :  he  is  not 
the  flower  of  courtesy,  but,  I'll  warrant  him,  as 
gentle  as  a  lamb.  Go  thy  ways,  wench;  serve 
God     What,  have  you  dined  at  home  ? 

Jul,  No,  no :  but  all  this  did  I  know  before. 
What  says  he  of  our  marriage  ?  what  of  that  ? 
Nurse,    Lord,    how   my  head   aches !    what  a 

head  have  I ! 
It  beats  as  it  would  fall  in  twenty  pieces.  50 

My   back   o'   t'   other   side, — O,   my   back,   my 

back! 
Beshrew  your  heart  for  sending  me  about, 

36.  jaunce,  wild  ramble,  jaunt ;  so  Q,.     Q^  'jaunt.' 
36.  circumstance,  detailed  account. 

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Romeo  and  Juliet  act  h 

To  catch  my  death  with  jauncing  up  and  down  ! 
Jul,  V  faith,  I  am  sorry  that  thou  art  not  well 
Sweet,  sweet,  sweet  nurse,  tell  me,  what  says  my 
love? 
Nurse.  Your  love  says,  like  an  honest  gentle- 
man, and  a  courteous,  and  a  kind,  and  a  hand- 
some, and,  I  warrant,  a  virtuous, — Where  is  your 
mother  ? 

Jul.  Where  is  my  mother !  why,  she  is  within ;  60 
Where  should  she  be  ?     How  oddly  thou  repliest ! 
*  Your  love  says,  like  an  honest  gentleman, 
Where  is  your  mother  ?  * 

Nurse,  O  God's  lady  dear ! 

Are  you  so  hot  ?  marry,  come  up,  I  trow ; 
Is  this  the  poultice  for  my  aching  bones  ? 
Henceforward  do  your  messages  yourself. 
Jul,    Here 's   such   a   coil !    come,    what   says 

Romeo? 
Nurse,   Have   you   got   leave  to  go   to   shrift 

to-day  ? 
Jul,  I  have. 

Nurse,  Then  hie  you  hence  to  Friar  Laurence* 
cell ;  70 

There  stays  a  husband  to  make  you  a  wife : 
Now  comes  the  wanton  blood  up  in  your  cheeks, 
They  '11  be  in  scarlet  straight  at  any  news. 
Hie  you  to  church ;  I  must  another  way. 
To  fetch  a  ladder,  by  the  which  your  love 
Must  climb  a  bird's  nest  soon  when  it  is  dark : 
I  am  the  drudge  and  toil  in  your  delight. 
But  you  shall  bear  the  burden  soon  at  night. 
Go ;  I  '11  to  dinner ;  hie  you  to  the  cell. 
Jul,  Hie  to  high  fortune !  Honest  nurse,  fare- 
well \Exeunt,  80 
67.  coil^  ado. 

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sc.  VI  Romeo  and  Juliet 


Scene  VI.     Friar  Laurencis  celL 

Enter  Friar  Laurence  and  Romeo. 

Fru  Z.  So  smile  the  heavens  upon  this  holy 
act, 
That  after  hours  with  sorrow  chide  us  not ! 

Rom,  Amen,  amen  !  but  come  what  sorrow  can. 
It  cannot  countervail  the  exchange  of  joy 
That  one  short  minute  gives  me  in  her  sight : 
Do  thou  but  close  our  hands  with  holy  words, 
Then  love-devouring  death  do  what  he  dare ; 
It  is  enough  I  may  but  call  her  mine. 

Fri,  Z.  These  violent  delights  Have  violent  ends 
And  in  their  triumph  die,  Kke  fire  and  powdeil-, 
Which  as  they  kiss  consume :  the  sweetest  honey 
Is  loathsome  in  his  own  delicioiisness 
And  in  the  taste  confounds  the  appetite : 
Therefore  love  moderately ;  long  love  doth  so ; 
Too  swift  arrives  as  tardy  as  too  slow. 

Enter  Juliet. 

Here  comes  the  lady :  O,  so  light  a  foot 
Will  ne'er  wear  out  the  everlasting  flint : 
A  lover  may  bestride  the  gossamer 
That  idles  in  the  wanton  summer  air, 
And  yet  not  fall ;  so  light  is  vanity. 

Jul,  Good  even  to  my  ghostly  cdnfessor. 

Fri,  Z.  Romeo  shall  thank  thee,  daughter,  for  us 
both. 

Jul,  As  much  to  him,  else  is  his  thanks  too 
much. 

Rom,  Ah,  Juliet,  if  the  measure  of  thy  joy 
Be  heap'd  like  mine,  and  that  thy  skill  be  more 

13.  his,  its. 

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Romeo  and  Juliet  act  j 

To  blazon  it,  then  sweeten  with  thy  breath 
This  neighbour  air,  and  let  rich  music's  tongue 
Unfold  the  imagined  happiness  that  both 
Receive  in  either  by  this  dear  encounter. 
Jul,  Conceit,    more    rich    in   matter    than   in 

words, 
Brags  of  his  substance,  not  of  ornament : 
They  are  but  beggars  that  can  count  their  worth ; 
But  my  true  love  is  grown  to  such  excess 
I  cannot  sum  up  sum  of  half  my  wealth. 

FrL  Z.  Come,  come  with  me,  and  we  will  make 

short  work ; 
For,  by  your  leaves,  you  shall  not  stay  alone 
Till  holy  church  incprporate  two  in  one. 

•^,  '.*  \Exeunt 


'4 


ACT  III. 

Scene  I.     A  public  place. 

Enter  Mercutio,  Benvolio,  Page,  and 
Servants. 

Ben,  I  pray  thee,  good  Mercutio,  let 's  retire : 
The  day  is  hot,  the  Capulets  abroad, 
And,  if  we  meet,  we  shall  not  scape  a  brawl ; 
For   now,    these   hot    days,    is    the  mad    blood 
stirring. 

Mer,  Thou  art  like  one  of  those  fellows  that 
when  he  enters  the  confines  of  a  tavern  claps  me 
his  sword  upon  the  table  and  says  *  God  send  me 

26.  hlaton,  celebrate.  31.  i.e.  rejoices  in  possessing, 

not  in  brilliantly  describing  its 
30.  Conceit^  imagination.  possession. 

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8c.  I  Romeo  and  Juliet 

no  need  of  thee !  *  and  by  the  operation  of  the 
second  cup  draws  it  on  the  drawer,  when  indeed 
there  is  no  need.  lo 

Ben,  Am  I  like  such  a  fellow  ? 

Mer,  Come,  come,  thou  art  as  hot  a  Jack  in 
thy  mood  as  any  in  Italy,  and  as  soon  moved 
to  be  moody,  and  as  soon  moody  to  be  moved. 

Ben.  And  what  to  ? 

Mer.  Nay,  an  there  were  two  such,  we  should 
have  none  shortly,  for  one  would  kill  the  other. 
Thou!  why,  thou  wilt  quarrel  with  a  man  that 
hath  a  hair  more,  or  a  hair  less,  in  his  beard, 
than  thou  hast :  thou  wilt  quarrel  with  a  man  for  30 
cracking  nuts,  having  no  other  reason  but  be^ 
cause  thou  hast  hazel  eyes:  what  eye  but  such 
an  eye  would  spy  out  such  a  quarrel?  Thy 
head  is  as  full  of  quarrels  as  an  egg  is  full  of 
meat,  and  yet  thy  head  hath  been  beaten  as 
addle  as  an  egg  for  quarrelling:  thou  hast  quar- 
relled with  a  man  for  coughing  in  the  street, 
because  he  hath  wakened  thy  dog  that  hath  lain 
asleep  in  the  sun :  didst  thou  not  fall  out  with  a 
tailor  for  wearing  his  new  doublet  before  Easter?  30 
with  another,  for  tying  his  new  shoes  with  old 
riband?  and  yet  thou  wilt  tutor  me  from  quar- 
relling ! 

Ben,  An  I  were  so  apt  to  quarrel  as  thou  art, 
any  man  should  buy  the  fee-simple  of  my  life  for 
an  hour  and  a  quarter. 

Mer,  The  fee-simple  !     O  simple  ! 

Ben,  By  my  head,  here  come  the  Capulets. 

Mer.  By  my  heel,  I  care  not. 

Enter  Tybalt  and  others, 

Tyb,  Follow  me  close,  for  I  will  speak  to  them.   40 
Gentlemen,  good  den :  a  word  with  one  of  you. 
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Romeo  and  Juliet  act  m 

Mer,  And  but  one  word  with  one  of  us  ?  couple 
it  with  something ;  make  it  a  word  and  a  blow. 

T^b,  You  shall  find  me  apt  enough  to  that,  sir, 
an  you  will  give  me  occasion. 

Mer,  Could  you  not  take  some  occasion  with- 
out giving  ? 

Tyb,  Mercutio,  thou  consort^st  with  Romeo, — 

Mer.  Consort !  what,  dost  thou  make  us  min- 
strels ?  an  thou  make  minstrels  of  us,  look  to  hear  50 
nothing  but  discords :  here  *s  my  fiddlestick ;  here 's 
that  shall  make  you  dance.     'Zounds,  consort ! 

Ben.  We  talk  here  in  the  public  haunt  of  men  : 
Either  withdraw  unto  some  private  place. 
And  reason  coldly  of  your  grievances, 
Or  else  depart ;  here  all  eyes  gaze  on  us. 

Mer,  Men's  eyes  were  made  to  look,  and  let 
them  gaze ; 
I  will  not  budge  for  no  man's  pleasure,  I. 

Enter  Romeo. 

Tyb,  Well,  peace  be  with  you,  sir :  here  comes 

my  man. 
Mer,  But  I  '11  be  hang'd,  sir,  if  he  wear  your 
livery :  60 

Marry,  go  before  to  field,  he  '11  be  your  follower ; 
Your  worship  in  that  sense  may  call  him  '  man.' 
Tyb,  Romeo,  the  hate  I  bear  thee  can  afford 
No  better  term  than  this, — thou  art  a  villain. 
Rom.  Tybalt,  the  reason  that  I  have  to  love 
thee 
Doth  much  excuse  the  appertaining  rage 
To  such  a  greeting :  villain  am  I  none ; 
Therefore  farewell ;  I  see  thou  know'st  me  not. 
Tyb.  Boy,  this  shall  not  excuse  the  injuries 

49.    Consort  (a  play  on   the         66,  67.  i.e.  Uie  rage  apper- 
sense,  'company  of  musicians').      taining  to  such  a  greeting. 

462 


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sc.  I  Romeo  and  Juliet 

That  thou  hast  done  me ;  therefore  turn  and  draw.   70 

Rom,  I  do  protest,  I  never  injured  thee, 
But  love  thee  better  than  thou  canst  devise, 
Till  thou  shalt  know  the  reason  of  my  love : 
And  so,  good  Capulet, — which  name  I  tender 
As  dearly  as  my  own, — be  satisfied. 

Mer,  O  calm,  dishonourable,  vile  submission  ! 
Alia  stoccata  carries  it  away.  \Draws, 

Tybalt,  you  rat-catcher,  will  you  walk  ? 

Tyb,  What  wouldst  thou  have  with  me  ? 

Mer.  Good  king  of  cats,  nothing  but  one  of  80 
your  nine  lives ;  that  I  mean  to  make  bold  withal, 
and,  as  you  shall  use  me  hereafter,  dry-beat  the 
rest  of  the  eight.  Will  you  pluck  your  sword  out 
of  his  pilcher  by  the  ears  ?  make  haste,  lest  mine 
be  about  your  ears  ere  it  be  out. 

Tyb,  I  am  for  you.  {Drawing, 

Rom,  Gentle  Mercutio,  put  thy  rapier  up. 

Mer.  Come,  sir,  your  passado.  \TheyfighU 

Rom,  Draw,  Benvolio ;  beat  down  their  weapons. 
Gentlemen,  for  shame,  forbear  this  outrage !  90 

Tybalt,  Mercutio,  the  prince  expressly  hath 
Forbidden  bandying  in  Verona  streets : 
Hold,  Tybalt !  good  Mercutio ! 

\Tybalt  under  Romeds  arm  stabs  Mercutio, 
and  flies  with  his  followers, 

Mer,  I  am  hurt. 

A  plague  o'  both  your  houses  !     I  am  sped. 
Is  he  gone,  and  hath  nothing  ? 

Ben,  What,  art  thou  hurt  ? 

Mer,  Ay,  ay,  a  scratch,  a  scratch;  marry,  'tis 
enough. 

74.  tender,  regard.  84.    pilcher,   scabbard  (con- 

77.    Alia  stoccata,  a  rapier-  temptuously ;    perhaps  with  an 

thrust     Qq  Ff  *  Alia  stucatho,'  allusion    to    'pilch,'    a    leather 

•  Allastucatho. '  jerkin). 


82.  dry -beat,  thrash. 


463 

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Digitized  b 


Romeo  and  Juliet  act 

Where  is  my  page  ?     Go,  villain,  fetch  a  surgeon. 

[Exit  Page. 

Rom,  Courage,  man ;  the  hurt  cannot  'be  much. 

Mer,  No,  'tis  not  so  deep  as  a  well,  nor  so 
wide  as  a  church-door;  but  'tis  enough,  'twill 
serve :  ask  for  me  to-morrow,  and  you  shall  find 
me  a  grave  man.  I  am  peppered,  I  warrant,  for 
this  world.  A  plague  o'  both  your  houses ! 
'Zounds,  a  dog,  a  rat,  a  mouse,  a  cat,  to  scratch 
a  man  to  death !  a  braggart,  a  rogue,  a  villain, 
that  fights  by  the  book  of  arithmetic !  Why  the 
devil  came  you  between  us?  I  was  hurt  under 
your  arm. 

Rom,  I  thought  all  for  the  best. 

Mer,  Help  me  into  some  house,  Benvolio, 
Or  I  shall  faint     A  plague  o'  both  your  houses ! 
They  have  made  worms'  meat  of  me  :  I  have  it. 
And  soundly  too :  your  houses ! 

\Exeunt  MercuHo  and  Benvolio, 

Rom,  This  gentleman,  the  prince's  near  ally, 
My  very  friend,  hath  got  hb  mortal  hurt 
In  my  behalf;  my  reputation  stain'd 
With  Tybalt's  slander, — Tybalt,  that  an  hour 
Hath  been  my  kinsman  1     O  sweet  Juliet, 
Thy  beauty  hath  made  me  effeminate 
And  in  my  temper  soften'd  valour's  steel ! 

Re-enter  Benvolio. 

Ben,  O  Romeo,  Romeo,  brave  Mercutio  's  dead  ! 
That  gallant  spirit  hath  aspired  the  clouds, 
Which  too  untimely  here  did  scorn  the  earth. 

Rom.  This  day's  black  fate  on  more  days  doth 
depend ; 
This  but  begins  the  woe  others  must  end. 

Ben.  Here  comes  the  furious  Tybalt  back  again. 

134.  depend,  impend. 
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8C.  1  Romeo  and  Juliet 

Rom,  Alive,  in  triumph  !  and  Mercutio  slain  ! 
Away  to  heaven,  respective  lenity, 
And  fire-eyed  fury  be  my  conduct  now ! 

Re-enter  Tybalt. 

Now,  Tybalt,  take  the  *  villain '  back  again,  i 

That  late  thou  gavest  me ;  for  Mercutio's  soul 
Is  but  a  little  way  above  our  heads, 
Staying  for  thine  to  keep  him  company : 
Either  thou,  or  I,  or  both,  must  go  with  him. 

Tyk  Thou,   wretched  boy,   that  didst  consort 
him  here, 
Shalt  with  him  hence. 

Rom,  This  shall  determine  that. 

[They  fight;  Tybalt  falls, 

Ben,  Romeo,  away,  be  gone  ! 
The  citizens  are  up,  and  Tybalt  slain. 
Stand  not  amazed ;  the  prince  will  doom  thee  death. 
If  thou  art  taken  :  hence,  be  gone,  away  !  i 

Rom,  O,  I  am  fortune's  fool ! 

Ben.  Why  dost  thou  stay  ? 

[Exit  Romeo, 

Enter  Citizens,  etc. 

First  at.  Which  way  ran  he  that  kiird  Mercutio? 
Tybalt,  that  murderer,  which  way  ran  he  ? 

Ben,  There  lies  that  Tybalt. 

First  at.  Up,  sir,  go  with  me ; 

I  charge  thee  in  the  prince's  name,  obey. 

Enter  Prince,  attended;  Montague,  Capulet, 
their  Wives,  and  others, 

Prin,  Where  are  the  vile  beginners  of  this  fray? 
Ben,  O  noble  prince,  I  can  discover  all 

128.    respective^   considerate,  139.  amazed,  bewildered, 

scrupulous.  147.  discover,  disclose. 

VOL.  VII  465  2  H 


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Romeo  and  Juliet  act  m 

The  unlucky  manage  of  this  £atal  brawl : 
There  lies  the  man,  slain  by  young  Romeo, 
That  slew  thy  kinsman,  brave  Mercutio.  150 

LcL  Cap,  Tybalt,  my  cousin!  O  my  brother's 

child ! 
O   prince!  O   cousin!   husband!   O,   the   blood 

is  spilt 
Of  my  dear  kinsman !     Prince,  as  thou  art  true. 
For  blood  of  ours,  shed  blood  of  Montague. 
O  cousin,  cousin ! 

Prin,  Benvolio,  who  began  this  bloody  fray  ? 
Ben,  Tybalt,  here  slain,  whom  Romeo's  hand 

did  slay ; 
Romeo  that  spoke  him  fair,  bade  him  bethink 
How  nice  the  quarrel  was,  and  urged  withal 
Your  high  displeasure :  all  this  uttered  160 

With  gentle   breath,    calm   look,    knees    humbly 

bow'd, 
Could  not  take  truce  with  the  unruly  spleen 
Of  Tybalt  deaf  to  peace,  but  that  he  tilts 
With  piercing  steel  at  bold  Mercutio*s  breast. 
Who,  all  as  hot,  turns  deadly  point  to  point. 
And,  with  a  martial  scorn,  with  one  hand  beats 
Cold  death  aside,  and  with  the  other  sends 
It  back  to  Tybalt,  whose  dexterity 
Retorts  it :  Romeo  he  cries  aloud, 
'  Hold,  friends !  friends,  part ! '  and,  swifter  than 

his  tongue,  170 

His  agile  arm  beats  down  their  fatal  points, 
And  'twixt  them  rushes ;  underneath  whose  arm 
An  envious  thrust  from  Tybalt  hit  the  life 
Of  stout  Mercutio,  and  then  Tybalt  fled ; 
But  by  and  by  comes  back  to  Romeo, 
Who  had  but  newly  entertained  revenge. 
And  to 't  they  go  like  lightning,  for,  ere  I 
148.  manage,  course.  159.  nice,  trifling. 

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sc.  II  Romeo  and  Juliet 

Could  draw  to  part  them,  was  stout  Tybalt  slain, 

And,  as  he  fell,  did  Romeo  turn  and  fly. 

This  is  the  truth,  or  let  Benvolio  die.  iSo 

La,  Cap,  He  is  a  kinsman  to  the  Montague ; 
Affection  makes  him  false ;  he  speaks  not  true : 
Some  twenty  of  them  fought  in  this  black  strife. 
And  all  those  twenty  could  but  kill  one  life. 
I  beg  for  justice,  which  thou,  prince,  must  give ; 
Romeo  slew  Tybalt,  Romeo  must  not  live. 

Prin,  Romeo  slew  him,  he  slew  Mercutio ; 
Who  now  the  price  of  his  dear  blood  doth  owe  ? 

Mon,  Not  Romeo,  prince,   he  was  Mercutio's 
friend ; 
His  fault  concludes  but  what  the  law  should  end,    190 
The  Hfe  of  Tybalt. 

Prin,  And  for  that  offence 

Immediately  we  do  exile  him  hence : 
I  have  an  interest  in  your  hate's  proceeding, 
My  blood  for  your  rude  brawls  doth  lie  a-bleeding ; 
But  1 11  amerce  you  with  so  strong  a  fine 
That  you  shall  all  repent  the  loss  of  mine : 
I  will  be  deaf  to  pleading  and  excuses ; 
Nor  tears  nor  prayers  shall  purchase  out  abuses : 
Therefore  use  none :  let  Romeo  hence  in  haste. 
Else,  when  he 's  found,  that  hour  is  his  last.  300 

Bear  hence  this  body  and  attend  our  will : 
Mercy  but  murders,  pardoning  those  that  kill. 

\Exeunt 


Scene  H.     Capulets  orchard. 

Enter  Juliet. 

Jul,  Gallop  apace,  you  fiery-footed  steeds. 
Towards  Phoebus'  lodging :  such  a  waggoner 

193.  hotels;  Knight's  emendation  for  Qq  Ff  •  hearts.' 
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Romeo  and  Juliet  act  m 

As  Phaethoti  would  whip  you  to  the  west, 

And  bring  in  cloudy  night  immediately. 

Spread  thy  close  curtain,  love-performing  night, 

That  runaways'  eyes  may  wink,  and  Romeo 

Leap  to  these  arms,  untalk'd  of  and  unseen. 

Lovers  can  see  to  do  their  amorous  rites 

By  their  own  beauties ;  or,  if  love  be  blind. 

It  best  agrees  with  night     Come,  civil  night,  lo 

Thou  sober-suited  matron,  all  in  black. 

And  learn  me  how  to  lose  a  winning  match, 

Play'd  for  a  pair  of  stainless  maidenhoods  : 

Hood  my  unmanned  blood,  bating  in  my  cheeks. 

With  thy  black  mantle;  till  strange  love,  grown 

bold. 
Think  true  love  acted  simple  modesty. 
Come,  night ;  come,  Romeo ;  come,  thou  day  in 

night ; 
For  thou  wilt  lie  upon  the  wings  of  night 
Whiter  than  new  snow  on  a  raven's  back. 
Come,  gentle  night,    come,    loving,    black-brow'd 

night,  ao 

3.  Phaethoti,  who  rashly  at-  ful  phraseology  of  Elizabethan 

tempted  to  drive  the  chariot  of  girls,    and   savours   of  the  ex- 

the  Sun.  pressive  language  of  children's 

6.  runaways*.   No  interpreta-  rhymes.'     The  latest  discussion 

tion  of  this  word  is  satisfactory.  of  the  question  is  by  Professor 

Those  who  retain  it  commonly  Hales,  who  defends  'runaways'  * 

explain  it 'ramblers,  vagabonds,'  in   the   sense  of    'vagabonds' 

whose  observation  Romeo  could  (Longman! s     Magazine,      Feb. 

not  defy  till   it   was   dark  ;    a  1892). 

prosaic  idea.      Dyce    proposed  10.  civil,  grave,  sober. 

•  rude    day  '  ;       Heath     '  Ru-  12.   learn,  teach, 

mour's'  ;    Halpin   thought  that  14.  The  image  is  from  fal- 

'  Runaway '  meant  Cupid  C^pwj  conry.     A  falcon  was  unmanned 

dpaTT^rjs) ;    Warburton  that   it  when  not  yet  brought  to  endure 

referred    to     Phoebus     in     his  company ;  it  dated  or  fluttered 

chariot ;  and  Mr.  Gollancz  sug-  with  its  vfings  when  the  hood 

gests,  very  prettily,   that   Run-  was  removed, 

away   'may  have  belonged,  in  14.  ^a/««^/Q2,3.  Ff'bayting.' 

the  sense  of  •  •  Day, "  to  the  play-  1 5.  strange,  i  .e.  untamed,  shy. 
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8c.  II  Romeo  and  Juliet 

Give  me  my  Romeo ;  and,  when  he  shall  die, 

Take  him  and  cut  him  out  in  little  stars, 

And  he  will  make  the  face  of  heaven  so  fine 

That  all  the  world  will  be  in  love  with  night 

And  pay  no  worship  to  the  garish  sun. 

O,  I  have  bought  the  mansion  of  a  love, 

But  not  possessed  it,  and,  though  I  am  sold. 

Not  yet  enjoy'd  :  so  tedious  is  this  day 

As  is  the  night  before  some  festival 

To  an  impatient  child  that  hath  new  robes  30 

And  may  not  wear  them.     O,  here  comes  my  nurse, 

And  she  brings  news ;  and  every  tongue  that  speaks 

But  Romeo's  name  speaks  heavenly  eloquence. 

EnUr  Nurse,  with  cords. 

Now,  nurse,  what  news  ?     What  hast  thou  there  ? 

the  cords 
That  Romeo  bid  thee  fetch  ? 

Nurse.  Ay,  ay,  the  cords. 

[Throws  them  down, 
Jul.  Ay  me !  what  news  ?  why  dost  thou  wring 

thy  hands  ? 
Nurse,  Ah,  well-a-day!  he's  dead,  he's  dead, 
he 's  dead ! 
We  are  undone,  lady,  we  are  undone ! 
Alack  the  day  !  he 's  gone,  he 's  kill'd,  he 's  dead  I 
Jul.  Can  heaven  be  so  envious  ? 
Nurse,  Romeo  can,     40 

Though  heaven  cannot :  O  Romeo,  Romeo  I 
Who  ever  would  have  thought  it  ?     Romeo  I 
Jul,  What  devil  art  thou,  that  dost  torment  me 
thus? 
This  torture  should  be  roar'd  in  dismal  hell. 
Hath  Romeo  slain  himself?  say  thou  but  *  I,' 

45.  say  thou  but  '/,'  i.e.  'ay,'  which  was  commonly  written  •  I.' 
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Romeo  and  Juliet  act  m 

And  that  bare  vowel  *  I '  shall  poison  more 

Than  the  death-darting  eye  of  cockatrice : 

I  am  not  I,  if  there  be  such  an  I ; 

Or  those  eyes  shut,  that  make  thee  answer  *  1/ 

If  he  be  slain,  say  *  I ' ;  or  if  not,  no  :  50 

Brief  sounds  determine  of  my  weal  or  woe. 

Nurse,  I  saw  the  wound,  I  saw  it  with  mine 
eyes — 
God  save  the  mark  ! — ^here  on  his  manly  breast : 
A  piteous  corse,  a  bloody  piteous  corse ; 
Pale,  pale  as  ashes,  all  bedaubed  in  blood. 
All  in  gore-blood ;  I  swounded  at  the  sight. 

JuL  O,  break,  my  heart !  poor  bankrupt,  break 
at  once ! 
To  prison,  eyes,  ne'er  look  on  liberty ! 
Vile  earth,  to  earth  resign,  end  motion  here. 
And  thou  and  Romeo  press  one  heavy  bier !  60 

Nurse.  O  Tybalt,  Tybalt,  the  best  friend  I  had  ! 
O  courteous  Tybalt !  honest  gentleman  ! 
That  ever  I  should  live  to  see  thee  dead ! 

JuL  What  storm  is  this  that  blows  so  contrary  ? 
Is  Romeo  slaughtered,  and  is  Tybalt  dead  ? 
My  dear-loved  cousin,  and  my  dearer  lord  ? 
Then,  dreadful  trumpet,  sound  the  general  doom  ! 
For  who  is  living,  if  those  two  are  gone  ? 

Nurse.  Tybalt  is  gone,  and  Romeo  banished : 
Romeo  that  kill'd  him,  he  is  banished.  70 

JuL  O  God !  did  Romeo's  hand  shed  Tybalt* s 
blood? 

Nurse.  It  did,  it  did ;  alas  the  day,  it  did ! 

JuL  O  serpent  heart,  hid  with  a  flowering  face  I 
Did  ever  dragon  keep  so  fair  a  cave  ? 
Beautiful  tyrant !  flend  angelical ! 

53.  God  save   the  mark  /a  a  blessing  on  it ;  hence,  loosely, 

phrase  originally  used  to  avert  '  God  bless  us  f ' 

the  evil  omen  attaching  to  some  56.  gore-blood,  blood  that  has 

token  or   '  mark,'  by  invoking  been  shed,  clotted  tdood. 

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sc.  II  Romeo  and  Juliet 

Dove-feather'd  raven  !  wolvish-ravening  lamb ! 

Despised  substance  of  divinest  show ! 

Just  opposite  to  what  thou  justly  seem'st, 

A  damned  saint,  an  honourable  villain  ! 

O  nature,  what  hadst  thou  to  do  in  hell,  80 

When  thou  didst  bower  the  spirit  of  a  fiend 

In  mortal  paradise  of  such  sweet  flesh  ? 

Was  ever  book  containing  such  vile  matter 

So  fairly  bound  ?     O,  that  deceit  should  dwell 

In  such  a  gorgeous  palace ! 

Nurse,  There  *s  no  trust, 

No  faith,  no  honesty  in  men ;  all  perjured, 
All  forsworn,  all  naught,  all  dissemblers. 
Ah,  where 's  my  man  ?  give  me  some  aqua  vitae  : 
These  griefs,  these  woes,  these  sorrows  make  me 

old. 
Shame  come  to  Romeo ! 

JuL  Blister'd  be  thy  tongue     90 

For  such  a  wish !  he  was  not  born  to  shame : 
Upon  his  brow  shame  is  ashamed  to  sit ; 
For  'tis  a  throne  where  honour  may  be  crown'd 
Sole  monarch  of  the  universal  earth. 
O,  what  a  beast  was  I  to  chide  at  him  ! 

Nurse.  Will  you  speak  well  of  him  that  kill'd 

your  cousin  ? 
Jul,  Shall  I  speak  ill  of  him  that  is  my  husband  ? 
Ah,  poor  my  lord,  what  tongue  shall  smooth  thy 

name. 
When  I,  thy  three-hours  wife,  have  mangled  it? 
But,  wherefore,  villain,  didst  thou  kill  my  cousin  ?   100 
That  villain  cousin  would  have  kilPd  my  husband : 
Back,  fooUsh  tears,  back  to  your  native  spring ; 
Your  tributary  drops  belong  to  woe, 

76.  Dove-feathered  raven,  tXc.\      feathered  Raven' ;  the  later  Qq 
Theobald's  restoration.     Qqj*  s      ^"^  ^1  'ravenous  dove,  feathred 
^    and   Fj   have   'ravenous  dove-      Raven.' 

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Romeo  and  Juliet  act  m 

Which  you,  mistaking,  offer  up  to  joy. 

My  husband  lives,  that  Tybalt  would  have  slain ; 

And  Tybalt's   dead,  that  would  have  slain  my 

husband : 
All  this  is  comfort ;  wherefore  weep  I  then  ? 
Some  word  there  was,  worser  than  Tybalt's  death, 
That  murder'd  me  :  I  would  forget  it  fain ; 
But,  O,  it  presses  to  my  memory,  no 

Like  damned  guilty  deeds  to  sinners'  minds  : 

*  Tybalt  is  dead,  and  Romeo — ^banished  ; ' 
That  *  banished,'  that  one  word  *  banished,' 
Hath  slain  ten  thousand  Tybalts.     Tybalt's  death 
Was  woe  enough,  if  it  had  ended  there : 

Or,  if  sour  woe  delights  in  fellowship 

And  needly  will  be  rank'd  with  other  griefs, 

Why  follow'd  not,  when  she  said  *  Tybalt 's  dead,' 

Thy  father,  or  thy  mother,  nay,  or  both. 

Which  modem  lamentation  might  have  moved  ?       xao 

But  with  a  rearward  following  Tybalt's  death, 

*  Romeo  is  banished,'  to  speak  that  word. 
Is  father,  mother,  Tybalt,  Romeo,  Juliet, 
All  slain,  all  dead.     '  Romeo  is  banished ! ' 
There  is  no  end,  no  limit,  measure,  bound, 

In  that  word's  death ;  no  words  can  that  woe  sound. 
Where  is  my  father,  and  my  mother,  nurse  ? 

Nurse,  Weeping  and  wailing  over  Tybalt's  corse : 
Will  you  go  to  them  ?  I  will  bring  you  thither. 

Jul,    Wash  they  his  wounds  with  tears  :  mine 
shall  be  spent,  130 

When  theirs  are  dry,  for  Romeo's  banishment. 
Take  up  those  cords :  poor  ropes,  you  are  beguiled. 
Both  you  and  I ;  for  Romeo  is  exiled  : 
He  made  you  for  a  highway  to  my  bed ; 
But  I,  a  maid,  die  maiden-widowed. 

117.    needly  wilh  needs  must 
120.  modem,  common,  ordinary. 

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sc.  Ill  Romeo  and  Juliet 

Come,  cords,  come,  nurse;  1*11  to  my  wedding- 
bed; 
And  death,  not  Romeo,  take  my  maidenhead ! 

Nurse,  Hie  to  your  chamber :  I  '11  find  Romeo 
To  comfort  you  :  I  wot  well  where  he  is. 
Hark  ye,  your  Romeo  will  be  here  at  night : 
I  '11  to  him ;  he  is  hid  at  Laurence'  cell 

JuL  O,  find  him!  give  this  ring  to  my  true  knight. 
And  bid  him  come  to  take  his  last  farewell 

\Exeunt, 


Scene  III.     Friar  Laurence's  cell. 

Enter  Friar  Laurence. 

Fri,  L,  Romeo,  come  forth ;  come  forth,  thou 
fearful  man : 
Affliction  is  enamour'd  of  thy  parts, 
And  thou  art  wedded  to  calamity. 

Enter  Romeo. 

Rom,  Father,  what  news  ?  what  is  the  prince's 
doom? 
What  sorrow  craves  acquaintance  at  my  hand. 
That  I  yet  know  not  ? 

Fri,  L,  Too  familiar 

Is  my  dear  son  with  such  sour  company : 
I  bring  thee  tidings  of  the  prince's  doom. 

Rom,  What  less  than  dooms-day  is  the  prince's 

doom? 
Fri,  L,  A  gentler  judgement  vanish'd  from  his 
lips, 
Not  body's  death,  but  body's  banishment 

Rom,  Ha,  banishment !  be  merciful,  say  *  death ; ' 

lo.  vanish'd,  issued. 
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Romeo  and  Juliet  act  m 

For  exile  hath  more  terror  in  his  look, 

Much  more  than  death :  do  not  say  '  banishment' 

J*h\  Z.  Hence  from  Verona  art  thou  banished  : 
Be  patient,  for  the  world  is  broad  and  wide. 

liom.  There  is  no  world  without  Verona  walls, 
But  purgatory,  torture,  hell  itself. 
Hence-banished  is  banish'd  from  the  world, 
And  world's  exile  is  death :  then  banished,  ao 

Is  death  mis-term'd :  calling  death  banishment, 
Thou  cutt'st  my  head  off  with  a  golden  axe, 
And  smilest  upon  the  stroke  that  murders  me. 

J*h'.  Z.  O  deadly  sin  !  O  rude  unthankfulness  I 
Thy  fault  our  law  calls  death ;  but  the  kind  prince. 
Taking  thy  part,  hath  rush'd  aside  the  law, 
And  tum'd  that  black  word  death  to  banishment : 
This  is  dear  mercy,  and  thou  seest  it  not 

jRom.  Tis  torture,  and  not  mercy:  heaven  is 
here, 
Where  Juliet  lives ;  and  every  cat  and  dog  30 

And  little  mouse,  every  unworthy  thing. 
Live  here  in  heaven  and  may  look  on  her. 
But  Romeo  may  not :  more  validity, 
More  honourable  state,  more  courtship  lives 
In  carrion-flies  than  Romeo :  they  may  seize 
On  the  white  wonder  of  dear  Juliet's  hand 
And  steal  immortal  blessing  from  her  lips, 
Who,  even  in  pure  and  vestal  modesty, 
Still  blush,  as  thinking  their  own  kisses  sin ; 
But  Romeo  may  not ;  he  is  banished :  40 

This  flies  may  do,  but  I  from  this  must  fly : 

36.  rusfCd  aside  the  law,  with  haviour. 
impetuous  eagerness  eluded,  or  40-43.  This  passage  is  con- 
contravened,  the  law.  fused  in  the  old  editions.     Q, 

38.    dear,    in    full   measure,  gives  the  lines  in  the  order :  41, 

genuine.  43,  40,  41  (with  the  variation, 

33.  validity,  worth.  'Flies  may  do  this'),  42.     Fi 

34.  courtship,     courtly    be-      41,  43,  40. 

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sc.  ni  Romeo  and  Juliet 

They  are  free  men,  but  I  am  banished. 
And  say'st  thou  yet  that  exile  is  not  death  ? 
Hadst  thou  no  poison  mix*d,  no  sharp-ground  knife, 
No  sudden  mean  of  death,  though  ne'er  so  mean. 
But  '  banished '  to  kill  me  ? — *  banished '  ? 
O  friar,  the  damned  use  that  word  in  hell ; 
Howling  attends  it :  how  hast  thou  the  heart, 
Being  a  divine,  a  ghostly  c6nfessor, 
A  sin-absolver,  and  my  friend  professed,  50 

To  mangle  me  with  that  word  *  banished '  ? 

Fri,  L.  Thou  fond  mad  man,  hear  me  but  speak 
a  word. 

Rom,  O,  thou  wilt  speak  again  of  banishment. 

Frt,  Z.  I  '11  give  thee  armour  to  keep  off  that 
word; 
Adversity's  sweet  milk,  philosophy. 
To  comfort  thee,  though  thou  art  banished. 

Rom,  Yet  *  banished '  ?     Hang  up  philosophy ! 
Unless  philosophy  can  make  a  Juliet, 
Displant  a  town,  reverse  a  prince's  doom. 
It  helps  not,  it  prevails  not :  talk  no  more.  60 

Frt\  L.  O,  then  I  see  that  madmen  have  no  ears. 

Rom,   How  should  they,  when  that  wise  men 
have  no  eyes  ? 

Fri,  L,  Let  me  dispute  with  thee  of  thy  estate. 

Rom,  Thou  canst  not  speak  of  that  thou  dost 
not  feel : 
Wert  thou  as  young  as  I,  Juliet  thy  love, 
An  hour  but  married,  Tybalt  murdered. 
Doting  like  me  and  like  me  banished. 
Then  mightst  thou  speak,  then  mightst  thou  tear 

thy  hair. 
And  fall  upon  the  ground,  as  I  do  now. 
Taking  the  measure  of  an  unmade  grave.  70 

[Knocking  within, 

63.  dispute,  discuss. 

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Romeo  and  Juliet  act  m 

Fri,  L,  Arise ;  one  knocks ;  good  Romeo,  hide 

thyself. 
Rom,   Not  I;   unless  the  breath  of  heart-sick 
groans, 
Mist-like,  infold  me  from  the  search  of  eyes. 

[Knocking, 
Fri,  Z.  Hark,  how  they  knock !     Who 's  there  ? 
Romeo,  arise; 
Thou  wilt  be  taken.     Stay  awhile !     Stand  up ; 

[Knocking. 
Run  to  my  study.     By  and  by  I     God's  will. 
What  simpleness  is  this !     I  come,  I  come  I 

[Knocking, 
Who  knocks  so  hard  ?  whence  come  you  ?  what 's 
your  will  ? 
Nurse,  [  Within\  Let  me  come  in,  and  you  shall 
know  my  errand ; 
I  come  from  Lady  Juliet 

Fri,  L,  Welcome,  then.  so 

Enter  Nurse. 

Nurse,  O  holy  friar,  O,  tell  me,  holy  friar. 
Where  is  my  lady's  lord  ?  where 's  Romeo  ? 

Fri,  L,  There  on  the  ground,  with  his  own  tears 
made  drunk. 

Nurse,  O,  he  is  even  in  my  mistress'  case. 
Just  in  her  case  ! 

Fri,  L.  O  woful  sympathy !    Piteous  predicament ! 

Nurse,  Even  so  lies  she. 
Blubbering  and  weeping,  weeping  and  blubbering. 
Stand  up,  stand  up ;  stand,  an  you  be  a  man : 
For  Juliet's  sake,  for  her  sake,  rise  and  stand ; 
Why  should  you  fall  into  so  deep  an  O  ?  90 

86.       O     woful     sympathy  /     Ff  include   the  words    in    the 
Piteous  predicament.  First  given      Nurse's    speech  ;    but    this    is 
by  Steevens  to  the  friar.     Qq      hardly  credible. 
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sc.  Ill  Romeo  and  Juliet 

• 

Rom.  Nurse! 

Nurse.  Ah  sir  I  ah  sir  !  Well,  death 's  the  end  of  all. 

Rom.  Spakest  thou  of  Juliet  ?  how  is  it  with  her  ? 
Doth  she  not  think  me  an  old  murderer, 
Now  I  have  stain'd  the  childhood  of  our  joy 
With  blood  removed  bu(  little  from  her  own  ? 
Where  is  she  ?  and  how  doth  she  ?  and  what  says 
My  conceaFd  lady  to  our  cancelled  love  ? 

Nurse.  O,  she  says  nothing,  sir,  but  weeps  and 
weeps ; 
And  now  falls  on  her  bed ;  and  then  starts  up,        loo 
And  Tybalt  calls ;  and  then  on  Romeo  cries, 
And  then  down  falls  again. 

Rom.  As  if  that  name. 

Shot  from  the  deadly  level  of  a  gun. 
Did  murder  her,  as  that  name^s  cursed  hand 
Murder'd  her  kinsman.     O,  tell  me,  friar,  tell  me, 
In  what  vile  part  of  this  anatomy 
Doth  my  name  lodge?  tell  me,  that  I  may  sack 
The  hateful  mansion.  \prawing  his  sword. 

Fri.  L.  Hold  thy  desperate  hand  : 

Art  thou  a  man  ?  thy  form  cries  out  thou  art : 
Thy  tears  are  womanish  ;  thy  wild  acts  denote         no 
The  unreasonable  fury  of  a  beast : 
Unseemly  woman  in  a  seeming  man  ! 
Or  ill-beseeming  beast  in  seeming  both ! 
Thou  hast  amazed  me :  by  my  holy  order, 
I  thought  thy  disposition  better  tempered. 
Hast  thou  slain  Tybalt?  wilt  thou  slay  thyself? 
And  slay  thy  lady  that  in  thy  life  lives. 
By  doing  damned  hate  upon  thyself? 
Why  raiPst  thou  on  thy  birth,  the  heaven,  and  earth  ? 

94.    old,    practised,    experi-  as  it  stands,  has  not  done  this. 

enced.  But  Brooke's  Romeus,  his  ori- 

106.  anatomy,  frame.  ginal,   had.       Shakespeare   has 

119.    Why  raiVst  thou  on  thy  obliterated  the  offence  but  re- 

Hrth,  etc.     Romeo,  in  the  play  tained  the  reproof. 

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Romeo  and  Juliet  act  m 

Since  birth,  and  heaven,  and  earth,  all  three  do  meet  im 

In  thee  at  once,  which  thou  at  once  wouldst  lose. 

Fie,  fie,  thou  shamest  thy  shape,  thy  love,  thy  wit ; 

Which,  like  a  usurer,  abound'st  in  all, 

And  usest  none  in  that  true  use  indeed 

Which  should  bedeck  thy  shape,  thy  love,  thy  wit : 

Thy  noble  shape  is  but  a  form  of  wax. 

Digressing  from  the  valour  of  a  man ; 

Thy  dear  love  sworn  but  hollow  perjury, 

Killing  that  love  which  thou  hast  vow'd  to  cherish  ; 

Thy  wit,  that  ornament  to  shape  and  love,  190 

Mis-shapen  in  the  conduct  of  them  both. 

Like  powder  in  a  skilless  soldier's  flask. 

Is  set  a-fire  by  thine  own  ignorance. 

And  thou  dismembered  with  thine  own  defence. 

What,  rouse  thee,  man  \  thy  Juliet  is  alive. 

For  whose  dear  sake  thou  wast  but  lately  dead ; 

There  art  thou  happy :  Tybalt  would  kill  thee. 

But  thou  slew'st  Tybalt ;  there  art  thou  happy  too : 

The  law,  that  threatened  death,  becomes  thy  friend. 

And  turns  it  to  exile ;  there  art  thou  happy :  140 

A  pack  of  blessings  lights  upon  thy  back ; 

Happiness  courts  thee  in  her  best  array ; 

But,  like  a  misbehaved  and  sullen  wench. 

Thou  pout'st  upon  thy  fortune  and  thy  love : 

Take  heed,  take  heed,  for  such  die  miserable. 

Go,  get  thee  to  thy  love,  as  was  decreed, 

Ascend  her  chamber,  hence  and  comfort  her : 

But  look  thou  stay  not  till  the  watch  be  set, 

For  then  thou  canst  not  pass  to  Mantua ; 

Where  thou  shalt  live,  till  we  can  find  a  time  150 

To  blaze  your  marriage,  reconcile  your  fiiends, 

Beg  pardon  of  the  prince,  and  call  thee  back 

With  twenty  hundred  thousand  times  more  joy 

Than  thou  went'st  forth  in  lamentation. 

Z37.  Digressingt  deviating.  151.  blau,  proclaim. 

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sc.  IV  Romeo  and  Juliet 

Go  before,  nurse :  commend  me  to  thy  lady ; 
And  bid  her  hasten  all  the  house  to  bed, 
Which  heavy  sorrow  makes  them  apt  unto : 
Romeo  is  coming. 

Nurse,  O  Lord,  I  could  have  stay'd  here  all  the 
night 
To  hear  good  counsel :  O,  what  learning  is  !  i6o 

My  lord,  I  '11  tell  my  lady  you  will  come. 

Rom,  Do  so,  and  bid  my  sweet  prepare  to  chide. 

Nurse,  Here,  sir,  a  ring  she  bid  me  give  you,  sir  : 
Hie  you,  make  haste,  for  it  grows  very  late.    \Exit, 

Rom,  How  well  my  comfort  is  revived  by  this  ! 

Fri,  L,  Go  hence ;  good  night ;  and  here  stands 
all  your  state : 
Either  be  gone  before  the  watch  be  set. 
Or  by  the  break  of  day  disguised  from  hence  : 
Sojourn  in  Mantua ;  I  '11  find  out  your  man, 
And  he  shall  signify  from  time  to  time  170 

Every  good  hap  to  you  that  chances  here : 
Give  me  thy  hand ;  'tis  late  :  farewell ;  good  night 

Rom,  But  that  a  joy  past  joy  calls  out  on  me. 
It  were  a  grief,  so  brief  to  part  with  thee  : 
Farewell  \Exeunt 


Scene  IV,     A  room  in  Capulefs  house. 

Enter  Capulet,  Lady  Capulet,  and  Paris. 

Cap,  Things  have  fall'n  out,  sir,  so  unluckily, 
That  we  have  had  no  time  to  move  our  daughter : 
Look  you,  she  loved  her  kinsman  Tybalt  dearly. 
And  so  did  I : — Well,  we  were  bom  to  die. 
'Tis  very  late,  she  '11  not  come  down  to-night : 
I  promise  you,  but  for  your  company, 

166.    here    stands    all  your     upon  this. 
staie^  your  whole  fortune  depends         3.  nwvtt  open  the  matter  to. 

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Romeo  and  Juliet  act  m 

I  would  have  been  a-bed  an  hour  ago. 

Par,  These  times  of  woe  afford  no  time  to  woo. 
Madam,    good    night:     commend    me    to    your 
daughter. 

La.  Cap,  I  will,  and  know  her  mind  early  to- 
morrow j  lO 
To-night  she  is  mew'd  up  to  her  heaviness. 

Cap.  Sir  Paris,  I  will  make  a  desperate  tender 
Of  my  child^s  love :  I  think  she  will  be  ruled 
In  all  respects  by  me ;  nay,  more,  I  doubt  it  not. 
Wife,  go  you  to  her  ere  you  go  to  bed ; 
Acquaint  her  here  of  my  son  Paris'  love ; 
And  bid  her,  mark  you  me,  on  Wednesday  next — 
But,  soft !  what  day  is  this  ? 

Par,  Monday,  my  lord. 

Cap.   Monday!    ha,  ha!     Well,  Wednesday  is 
too  soon, 
O*  Thursday  let  it  be  :  o'  T-hursday,  tell  her,  ao 

She  shall  be  married  to  this  noble  earl. 
Will  you  be  ready  ?  do  you  like  this  haste  ? 
We  '11  keep  no  great  ado, — a  friend  or  two ; 
For,  hark  you,  Tybalt  being  slain  so  late. 
It  may  be  thought  we  held  him  carelessly. 
Being  our  kinsman,  if  we  revel  much : 
Therefore  we  '11  have  some  half  a  dozen  friends, 
And  there  an  end.    But  what  say  you  to  Thursday  ? 

Par.  My  lord,  I  would  that  Thursday  were  to- 
morrow. 

Cap.  Well,  get  you  gone:  o*  Thursday  be  it,  then.   30 
Go  you  to  Juliet  ere  you  go  to  bed, 
Prepare  her,  wife,  against  this  wedding-day. 
Farewell,  my  lord.     Light  to  my  chamber,  ho ! 
Afore  me  !  it  is  so  very  very  late. 
That  we  may  call  it  early  by  and  by. 
Good  night.  {Eoceunt, 

Z3.  dtsperate  tender ^  bold  offer. 
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sc.  V  Romeo  and  Juliet 


Scene  V.     Capuhfs  orchard. 

Enter  Romeo  and  Juliet  above^  at  the 
window. 

Jul,  Wilt  thou  be  gone  ?  it  is  not  yet  near  day  : 
It  was  the  nightingale,  and  not  the  lark, 
That  pierced  the  fearful  hollow  of  thine  ear ; 
Nightly  she  sings  on  yond  pomegranate-tree : 
Believe  me,  love,  it  was  the  nightingale. 

Jiom.  It  was  the  lark,  the  herald  of  the  morn. 
No  nightingale :  look,  love,  what  envious  streaks 
Do  lace  the  severing  clouds  in  yonder  east  : 
Night's  candles  are  burnt  out,  and  jocund  day 
Stands  tiptoe  on  the  misty  mountain  tops.  lo 

I  must  be  gone  and  live,  or  stay  and  die. 

Jul.  Yon  light  is  not  day-light,  I  know  it,  I : 
It  is  some  meteor  that  the  sun  exhales. 
To  be  to  thee  this  night  a  torch-bearer, 
And  light  thee  on  thy  way  to  Mantua : 
Therefore  stay  yet ;  thou  need'st  not  to  be  gone. 

Rom.  Let  me  be  ta'en,  let  me  be  put  to  death ; 
I  am  content,  so  thou  wilt  have  it  so. 
1 11  say  yon  grey  is  not  the  morning's  eye, 
Tis  but  the  pale  reflex  of  Cynthia's  brow ;  ao 

Nor  that  is  not  the  lark,  whose  notes  do  beat 
The  vaulty  heaven  so  high  above  our  heads  : 
I  have  more  care  to  stay  than  will  to  go : 
Come,  death,  and  welcome  !  Juliet  wills  it  so. 
How  is  \  my  soul  ?  let 's  talk ;  it  i^  not  day. 

Jul.  It  is,  it  is :  hie  hence,  be  gone,  away ! 
It  is  the  lark  that  sings  so  out  of  tune, 

13.  exhales,  draws  out  (meteors     common  name,  '  exhalations '). 
being  regarded  as  vapours  drawn         20.   Cynthia's  brow,  i.e.   the 
up  by  the  sun  ;    hence    their     moon. 

VOL.  VII  481  2  1 


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Romeo  and  Juliet  act  m 

Straining  harsh  discords  and  unpleasing  sharps. 
Some  say  the  lark  makes  sweet  division ; 
This  doth  not  so,  for  she  divideth  us :  30 

Some  say  the  lark  and  loathed  toad  change  eyes ; 
O,  now  I  would  they  had  changed  voices  too ! 
Since  arm  from  arm  that  voice  doth  us  affray, 
Hunting  thee  hence  with  hunt  's-up  to  the  day. 
O,  now  be  gone ;  more  light  and  light  it  grows. 
Rom,  More  light  and  light ;  more  dark  and  dark 
our  woes ! 

Enter  Nurse,  to  the  chamber. 

Nurse,  Madam  I 

Jul,  Nurse? 

Nurse,  Your  lady  mother  is  coming  to  your 
chamber : 
The  day  is  broke ;  be  wary,  look  about.        {Exit,    40 

Jul,  Then,  window,  let  day  in,  and  let  life  out. 

Rom.    Farewell,  farewell!    one   kiss,   and   I'll 
descend.  {He  goeth  down 

Jul,  Art  thou  gone  so  ?  my  lord,  my  love,  my 
friend ! 
I  must  hear  from  thee  every  day  in  the  hour. 
For  in  a  minute  there  are  many  days : 
O,  by  this  count  I  shall  be  much  in  years 
Ere,  I  again  behold  my  Romeo ! 

Rom,  Farewell ! 
I  will  omit  no  opportunity 
That  may  convey  my  greetings,  love,  to  thee.  50 

29.  division,  modulation  (in  a  common  burthen  of  hunting- 
music),  ballads. 

31.    change   eyes;    the    lark  ^^        direcHm,     This  is 

bang  said  to  have  ugly  and  the  ^^^  onl^  in  Q^. 

toad  beautiful  eyes.  '          * 

34.       hunt's-up,      reveille.  ^^.  my  lord. .  .friend;  so  Qi. 

Originally  the  tune  played  to  The  Qq  and  F^  have  a  weaker 

wakesportsmen  and  call  them  to-  reading:    'love,  lord,  ay,  hus- 

gether ;  the  words  being  thence  band,  friend. ' 

482 


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8C.  V 


Romeo  and  Juliet 


JuL  O,  think'st  thou  we  shall  ever  meet  again  ? 

Rom,  I  doubt  it  not;  and  all  these  woes  shall 
serve 
For  sweet  discourses  in  our  time  to  come. 

JuL  O  God,  I  have  an  ill-divining  soul ! 
Methinks  I  see  thee,  now  thou  art  below, 
As  one  dead  in  the  bottom  of  a  tomb : 
Either  my  eyesight  fails,  or  thou  look'st  pale. 

Rom,  And  trust  me,  love,  in  my  eye  so  do  you  : 
Dry  sorrow  drinks  our  blood.     Adieu,  adieu  ! 

[Exit 

JuL  O  fortune,  fortune !  all  men  call  thee  fickle :  60 
If  thou  art  fickle,  what  dost  thou  with  him 
That  is  renown'd  for  feith  ?     Be  fickle,  fortune ; 
For  then,  I  hope,  thou  wilt  not  keep  him  long. 
But  send  him  back. 

La,  Cap,  [  Within\  Ho,  daughter !  are  you  up  ? 

Jul,  Who  is 't  that  calls  ?  it  is  my  lady  mother. 
Is  she  not  down  so  late,  or  up  so  early  ? 
What  unaccustomed  cause  procures  her  hither  ? 

Enter  Lady  Capulet. 

La,  Cap,  Why,  how  now,  Juliet ! 

JuL  Madam,  I  am  not  well. 

La,   Cap,  Evermore  weeping  for  your  cousin's 

death  ?  7^ 

What,  wilt  thou  wash  him  from  his  grave  with  tears  ? 

An  if  thou  couldst,  thou  couldst  not  make  him  live ; 

Therefore,  have  done :  some  grief  shows  much  of 

love; 
But  much  of  grief  shows  still  some  want  of  wit 
JuL  Yet  let  me  weep  for  such  a  feeling  loss. 
La,  Cap,  So  shall  you  feel  the  loss,  but  not  the 
friend 
Which  you  weep  for. 

54.   ill'divining,  foreboding.         65.  it  is ;  so  Qq.     Ff  '  is  it ' 

483 


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Romeo  and  Juliet  act  m 

Jul,  Feeling  so  the  loss, 

I  c^not  choose  but  ever  weep  the  friend. 

La.  Cap.  Well,  girl,  thou  weep'st  not  so  much 
for  his  death. 
As  that  the  villain  lives  which  slaughtered  him.  80 

JuL  What  villain,  madam  ? 
La,  Cap,  That  same  villain,  Romeo. 

Jul,    \Aside\    Villain  and   he   be   many  miles 
asunder. — 
God  pardon  him !  I  do,  with  all  my  heart ; 
And  yet  no  man  like  he  doth  grieve  my  heart. 
La,  Cap,  That  is,  because  the  traitor  murderer 

lives. 
Jul,  Ay,  madam,  from  the  reach  of  these  my 
hands: 
Would  none  but  I  might  venge  my  cousin's  death. 
Lai,  Cap,  We  will  have  vengeance  for  it,  fear 
thou  not : 
Then  weep  no  more.     I  '11  send  to  one  in  Mantua 
Where  that  same  banish'd  runagate  doth  live,  90 

Shall  give  him  such  an  unaccustomed  dram. 
That  he  shall  soon  keep  Tybalt  company : 
And  then,  I  hope,  thou  wilt  be  satisfied. 
Jul,  Indeed,  I  never  shall  be  satisfied 
With  Romeo,  till  I  behold  him — dead — 
Is  my  poor  heart  so  for  a  kinsman  vex'd : 
Madam,  if  you  could  find  out  but  a  man 
To  bear  a  poison,  I  would  temper  it 
That  Romeo  should,  upon  receipt  thereof. 
Soon  sleep  in  quiet     O,  how  my  heart  abhors         100 
To  hear  him  named,  and  cannot  come  to  him, 
To  wreak  the  love  I  bore  my  cousin 
Upon  his  body  that  hath  slaughtered  him ! 

La,   Cap,  Find  thou  the  means,  and  III  find 
such  a  man. 

86.  from,  beyond. 

484 


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8c.  V  Romeo  and  Juliet 

But  now  I  '11  tell  thee  joyful  tidings,  girl 

Jul,  And  joy  comes  well  in  such  a  needy  time : 
What  are  they,  I  beseech  your  ladyship  ? 

La.  Cap,  Well,  well,  thou  hast  a  careful  father, 
child ; 
One  who,  to  put  thee  from  thy  heaviness, 
Hath  sorted  out  a  sudden  day  of  joy,  xxo 

That  thou  expect'st  not  nor  I  looked  not  for. 

Jul,  Madam,  in  happy  time,  what  day  is  that  ? 

La,  Cap,  Marry,  my  child,  early  next  Thursday 
morn, 
The  gallant,  young  and  noble  gentleman. 
The  County  Paris,  at  Saint  Peter's  Church, 
Shall  happily  make  thee  there  a  joyful  bride. 

Jul.  Now,  by  Saint  Peter's  Church  and  Peter  too, 
He  shall  not  make  me  there  a  joyful  bride. 
I  wonder  at  this  haste ;  that  I  must  wed 
Ere  he,  that  should  be  husband,  comes  to  woo.       xa© 
I  pray  you,  tell  my  lord  and  father,  madam, 
I  will  not  marry  yet ;  and,  when  I  do,  I  swear. 
It  shall  be  Romeo,  whom  you  know  I  hate, 
Rather  than  Paris.     These  are  news  indeed ! 

1m,  Cap,  Here  comes  your  father ;  tell  him  so 
yourself. 
And  see  how  he  will  take  it  at  your  hands. 

Enter  Capulet  and  Nurse. 

Cap,  When  the  sun  sets,  the  air  doth  drizzle  dew ; 
But  for  the  sunset  of  my  brother's  son 
It  rains  downright. 
How  now  I  a  conduit,  girl  ?  what,  still  in  tears  ?       X30 

106.   needy y  joyless.  la  bonne  heure'). 

1 10.  sorted  out,  arranged.  1 30-  «  conduit,  girl;  a  human 

figure    spouting   water   was    a 
lb.    j«^«,  speedy.  common  feature  of  fountains  or 

113.  in  happy  time,  express-      'conduits.'     Cf.   As  You  Like 
ing  ready  acquiescence  (Fr.   *k     It,  iv.  i.  154. 

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Romeo  and  Juliet  act  m 

Everaiore  showering  ?     In  one  little  body 

Thou  counterfeit'st  a  bark,  a  sea,  a  wind ; 

For  still  thy  eyes,  which  I  may  call  the  sea. 

Do  ebb  and  flow  with  tears ;  the  bark  thy  body  is, 

Sailing  in  this  salt  flood  ;  the  winds,  thy  sighs ; 

Who,  raging  with  thy  tears,  and  they  with  them, 

Without  a  sudden  calm,  will  overset 

Thy  tempest-tossed  body.     How  now,  wife ! 

Have  you  delivered  to  her  our  decree  ? 

La.  Cap.  Ay,  sir ;  but  she  will  none,  she  gives 

you  thanks.  140 

I  would  the  fool  were  married  to  her  grave ! 
Cap.  Soft!  take  me  with  you,  take  me  with 

you,  wife. 
How!  will  she  none?  doth  she  not  give  us  thanks  ? 
Is  she  not  proud  ?  doth  she  not  count  her  blest, 
Unworthy  as  she  is,  that  we  have  wrought 
So  worthy  a  gentleman  to  be  her  bridegroom  ? 
Jul.  Not  proud,  you  have;  but  thankful,  that 

you  have : 
Proud  can  I  never  be  of  what  I  hate ; 
But  thankful  even  for  hate,  that  is  meant  love. 
Cap.  How  how,  how  how,  chop-logic!     What 

is  this  ?  X50 

'  Proud,*  and  *  I  thank  you,*  and  *  I  thank  you  not ; ' 
And  yet  *  not  proud  :  *  mistress  minion,  you. 
Thank  me  no  thankings,  nor  proud  me  no  prouds, 
But  fettle  your  fine  joints  'gainst  Thursday  next. 
To  go  with  Paris  to  Saint  Peter's  Church, 
Or  I  will  drag  thee  on  a  hurdle  thither. 
Out,  you  green-sickness  carrion !  out,  you  baggage ! 
You  tallow-face ! 

La.  Cap.  Fie,  fie !  what,  are  you  mad  ? 

142.    take  me  with  you^  ex-      now'  Ff. 
plain  yourself. 

150.  How  how;  S0Q2.  'How         154.  fettle^  dress,  prepare. 

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SC.  V 


Romeo  and  Juliet 


JuL  Good  father,  I  beseech  you  on  my  knees, 
Hear  me  with  patience  but  to  speak  a  word.  i6o 

Cap,  Hang  thee,  young  baggage!  disobedient 
wretch ! 
I  tell  thee  what :  get  thee  to  church  o'  Thursday, 
Or  never  after  look  me  in  the  face : 
Speak  not,  reply  not,  do  not  answer  me ; 
My  fingers  itch.     Wife,  we  scarce  thought  us  blest 
That  God  had  lent  us  but  this  only  child ; 
But  now  I  see  this  one  is  one  too  much, 
And  that  we  have  a  curse  in  having  her : 
Out  on  her,  hilding ! 

Nurse.  God  in  heaven  bless  her  ! 

You  are  to  blame,  my  lord,  to  rate  her  so.  170 

Cap.  And  why,  my  lady  wisdom?  hold  your 
tongue. 
Good  prudence ;  smatter  with  your  gossips,  go. 

Nurse.  I  speak  no  treason. 

Cap.  O,  God  ye  god-dea 

Nurse.  May  not  one  speak  ? 

Cap.  Peace,  you  mumbling  fool ! 

Utter  your  gravity  o'er  a  gossip's  bowl ; 
For  here  we  need  it  not. 

La.  Cap.  You  are  too  hot 

Cap.  God's  bread !  it  makes  me  mad : 
Day,  night,  hour,  tide,  time,  work,  play, 
Alone,  in  company,  still  my  care  hath  been 
To  have  her  match'd :  and  having  now  provided     180 
A  gentleman  of  noble  parentage, 
Of  fair  demesnes,  youthful,  and  nobly  train'd, 
Stuifd,  as  they  say,  with  honourable  parts. 
Proportioned  as  one's  thought  would  wish  a  man ; 
And  then  to  have  a  wretched  puling  fool, 

177-179.  Capulet's  'madness'      lious  metre  of  these  lines. 
is  perhaps  reflected  in  the  in- 
coherent expression  and  rebel-  178.  hour^  at  every  hour. 

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Romeo  and  Juliet  act  m 

A  whining  mammet,  in  her  fortune's  tender, 

To  answer  '  I  '11  not  wed ;  I  cannot  love, 

I  am  too  young;  I  pray  you,  pardon  me.' 

But,  an  you  will  not  wed,  I  '11  pardon  you  : 

Graze  where  you  will,  you  shall  not  house  with  me :  190 

Look  to 't,  think  on 't,  I  do  not  use  to  jest. 

Thursday  is  near ;  lay  hand  on  heart,  advise  : 

An  you  be  mine,  I  '11  give  you  to  my  friend ; 

An  you  be  not,  hang,  beg,  starve,  die  in  the  streets. 

For,  by  my  soul,  I  '11  ne'er  acknowledge  thee. 

Nor  what  is  mine  shall  never  do  thee  good : 

Trust  to 't,  bethink  you ;  I  'U  not  be  forsworn. 

[Exit 

Jul.  Is  there  no  pity  sitting  in  the  clouds. 
That  sees  into  the  bottom  of  my  grief? 
O,  sweet  my  mother,  cast  me  not  away  !  900 

Delay  this  marriage  for  a  month,  a  week ; 
Or,  if  you  do  not,  make  the  bridal  bed 
In  that  dim  monument  where  Tybalt  lies. 

La,  Cap,  Talk  not  to  me,  for  I  '11  not  speak  a 
word: 
Do  as  thou  wilt,  for  I  have  done  with  thee.  \Exit, 

Jul,  O  God ! — O  nurse,  how  shall  this  be  pre- 
vented ? 
My  husband  is  on  earth,  my  faith  in  heaven ; 
How  shall  that  faith  return  again  to  earth. 
Unless  that  husband  send  it  me  from  heaven 
By  leaving  earth  ?  comfort  me,  counsel  me.  ax© 

Alack,  alack,  that  heaven  should  practise  stratagems 
Upon  so  soft  a  subject  as  myself! 
What  say'st  thou  ?  hast  thou  not  a  word  of  joy  ? 
Some  comfort,  nurse. 

Nurse,  Faith,  here  it  is. 

Romeo  is  banish'd ;  and  all  the  world  to  nothing, 

186.  in  her  fortune's  tender ^  192.  advise,  reflect 

when  fortune  is  oifered  to  her.  211.  stratagems^  afiUctions. 

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Romeo  and  Juliet 


That  he  dares  ne'er  come  back  to  challenge  you ; 

Or,  if  he  do,  it  needs  must  be  by  stealth. 

Then,  since  the  case  so  stands  as  now  it  doth, 

I  think  it  best  you  married  with  the  county. 

O,  he 's  a  lovely  gentleman  1  as© 

Romeo 's  a  dishclout  to  him :  an  eagle,  madam. 

Hath  not  so  green,  so  quick,  so  fair  an  eye 

As  Paris  hath.     Beshrew  my  very  heart, 

I  think  you  are  happy  in  this  second  match. 

For  it  excels  your  first :  or  if  it  did  not. 

Your  first  is  dead ;  or  'twere  as  good  he  were 

As  living  here  and  you  no  use  of  him. 

Jul,  Speakest  thou  firom  thy  heart  ? 

Nurse,  And  from  my  soul  too  \ 

Or  else  beshrew  them  both. 

Jul,  Amen ! 

Nurse.  What  ? 

Jul,  Well,  thou  hast  comforted  me  marvellous 
much.  230 

Go  in ;  and  tell  my  lady  I  am  gone. 
Having  displeased  my  father,  to  Laurence'  cell. 
To  make  confession  and  to  be  absolved. 

Nurse,  Marry,  I  will ;  and  this  is  wisely  done. 

\Exit 

Jul,  Ancient  damnation  !  O  most  wicked  fiend ! 
Is  it  more  sin  to  wish  me  thus  forsworn. 
Or  to  dispraise  my  lord  with  that  same  tongue 
Which  she  hath  praised  him  with  above  compare 
So  many  thousand  times  ?     Go,  counsellor ; 
Thou  and  my  bosom  henceforth  shall  be  twain.       24© 
I  '11  to  the  friar,  to  know  his  remedy : 
If  all  else  fail,  myself  have  power  to  die.        \Exit, 

216.  challenge,  claim.  having  been  taken   down  from 

notes  in  the  theatre,  we  doubtless 

234.  There  is  a  significant  have  here  a  direct  clue  to  the 
stage  direction  here  inQj :  'She  original  manner  of  playing  the 
lookes  after   Nurse.'     This  Q     part     L. 

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Romeo  and  Juliet  act  iv 

ACT  IV. 

Scene  I.     Friar  Laurence^ s  cell. 

Enter  Friar  Laurence  and  Paris. 

Fri,  Z.  On  Thursday,  sir  ?  the  time  is  very  short 

Par,  My  father  Capulet  will  have  it  so ; 
And  I  am  nothing  slow  to  slack  his  haste. 

Fri,  L,  You  say  you  do  not  know  the  lady's 
mind : 
Uneven  is  the  course,  I  like  it  not 

Par,  Immoderately  she  weeps  for  Tybalt's  death, 
And  therefore  have  I  little  talk'd  of  love ; 
For  Venus  smiles  not  in  a  house  of  tears. 
Now,  sir,  her  father  counts  it  dangerous 
That  she  do  give  her  sorrow  so  much  sway,  xo 

And  in  his  wisdom  hastes  our  marriage. 
To  stop  the  inundation  of  her  tears ; 
Which,  too  much  minded  by  herself  alone. 
May  be  put  from  her  by  society : 
Now  do  you  know  the  reason  of  this  haste. 

Fri,  L,  [Aside]  I  would  I  knew  not  why  it  should 
be  slow'd. 
Look,  sir,  here  comes  the  lady  towards  my  cell 

Enter  Juliet. 

Par,  Happily  met,  my  lady  and  my  wife  ! 
y^ul.  That  may  be,  sir,  when  I  may  be  a  wife. 

3.  /  am  nothing  slow,    i.e.  Qq    and    F^,  j    *talke,*    which 

There  is  no  slowness  in  me  to  Mommsen  retains,  in  the  sense, 

contribute  to  '  slack  his  haste. '  '  I  get  few  words  of  love '  ;  but 

7.  talk'd;  so  Qq.     The  other  the  expression  is  harsh. 

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Romeo  and  Juliet 


Par,  That  may  be  must  be,  love,  on  Thursday 
next  ao 

Jul,  What  must  be  shall  be. 

Fri,  L,  That 's  a  certain  text. 

Far.  Come  you  to  make  confession  to  this  father  ? 

Jul,  To  answer  that,  I  should  confess  to  you. 

Far,  Do  not  deny  to  him  that  you  love  me. 

Jul,  I  will  confess  to  you  that  I  love  him. 

Far,  So  will  ye,  I  am  sure,  that  you  love  me. 

Jul,  If  I  do  so,  it  will  be  of  more  price, 
Being  spoke  behind  your  back,  than  to  your  face. 

Far,  Poor  soul,  thy  face  is  much  abused  with 
tears. 

Jul,  The  tears  have  got  small  victory  by  that ;      30 
For  it  was  bad  enough  before  their  spite. 

Far,  Thou  wrongest  it   more   than   tears   with 
that  report 

Jul,  That  is  no  slander,  sir,  which  is  a  truth, 
And  what  I  spake,  I  spake  it  to  my  face. 

Far,  Thy  face  is  mine,  and  thou  hast  slander'd  it. 

Jul,  It  may  be  so,  for  it  is  not  mine  owa 
Are  you  at  leisure,  holy  father,  now ; 
Or  shall  I  come  to  you  at  evening  mass  ? 

Fri,  L,  My  leisure  serves  me,  pensive  daughter, 
now. 
My  lord,  we  must  entreat  the  time  alone.  40 

Far,  God  shield  I  should  disturb  devotion  ! 
Juliet,  on  Thursday  early  will  I  rouse  ye : 
Till  then,  adieu,  and  keep  this  holy  kiss.      \Exit, 

29.  abused,  stained.  Hons,    1875)   that    it    notwith- 

38.  evening     mass.      The  standing   continued   in  certain 

practice  of  saying  mass  in  the  places,  amongthe  rest  at  Verona, 

afternoon  had  been  prohibited,  It  was  not  Shakespeare's  way  to 

a     generation     before     Shake-  avail  himself  of  local  accidents 

speare  wrote,  by  Pius  V.  (i566-  such  as  this ;  but  early  associa- 

72) ;     Simpson,    however,    has  tions  may  have  suggested   the 

shown  (A^.   Sh.  Soc.   Transac-  phrase. 

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Romeo  and  Juliet 


ACT  IV 


JuL  O,  shut  the  door!  and  when  thou  hast 

done  so, 
Come  weep  with  me ;  past  hope,  past  cure,  past 

helpl 
Fri,  L.  Ah,  Juliet,  I  already  know  thy  grief; 
It  strains  me  past  the  compass  of  my  wits : 
I  hear  thou  must,  and  nothing  may  prorogue  it, 
On  Thursday  next  be  married  to  this  county. 

JuL  Tell  me  not,  friar,  that  thou  hear'st  of  this,    50 
Unless  thou  tell  me  how  I  may  prevent  it : 
If  in  thy  wisdom  thou  canst  give  no  help, 
Do  thou  but  call  my  resolution  wise. 
And  with  this  knife  I  '11  help  it  presently. 
God  join'd  my  heart  and  Romeo's,  thou  our  hands ; 
And  ere  this  hand,  by  thee  to  Romeo  seal'd. 
Shall  be  the  label  to  another  deed. 
Or  my  true  heart  with  treacherous  revolt 
Turn  to  another,  this  shall  slay  them  both : 
Therefore,  out  of  thy  long-experienced  time,  60 

Give  me  some  present  counsel,  or,  behold, 
Twixt  my  extremes  and  me  this  bloody  knife 
Shall  play  the  umpire,  arbitrating  that 
Which  the  commission  of  thy  years  and  art 
Could  to  no  issue  of  true  honour  bring. 
Be  not  so  long  to  speak ;  I  long  to  die. 
If  what  thou  speak'st  speak  not  of  remedy. 

Fri.  Z.   Hold,  daughter :  I  do  spy  a  kind  of 

hope. 
Which  craves  as  desperate  an  execution 
As  that  is  desperate  which  we  would  prevent.  70 

If,  rather  than  to  marry  County  Paris, 
Thou  hast  the  strength  of  will  to  slay  thyself. 
Then  is  it  likely  thou  wilt  undertake 

4$.  cure ;  so  Q^.     Qqa^,  Ff         57.  laiel,  seal  appended  to  a 
have  'care,'  deed. 

64.  commission^  warrant. 

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8c.  I  Romeo  and  Juliet 

A  thing  like  death  to  chide  away  this  shame, 
That  copest  with  death  himself  to  scape  from  it ; 
And,  if  thou  darest,  I  *11  give  thee  remedy. 

Jul,  O,  bid  me  leap,  rather  than  marry  Paris, 
From  off  the  battlements  of  yonder  tower ; 
Or  walk  in  thievish  ways ;  or  bid  me  lurk 
Where  serpents  are ;  chain  me  with  roaring  bears  ; 
Or  shut  me  nightly  in  a  charnel-house, 
O'er-cover'd  quite  with  dead  men's  rattling  bones, 
With  reeky  shanks  and  yellow  chapless  skulls ; 
Or  bid  me  go  into  a  new-made  grave 
And  hide  me  with  a  dead  man  in  his  shroud ; 
Things  that,  to  hear  them  told,  have  made  me 

tremble ; 
And  I  will  do  it  without  fear  or  doubt, 
To  live  an  unstained  wife  to  my  sweet  love. 

Fri.  L.  Hold,  then ;  go  home,  be  merry,  give 

consent 
To  marry  Paris :  Wednesday  is  to-morrow : 
To-morrow  night  look  that  thou  lie  alone ; 
Let  not  thy  nurse  lie  with  thee  in  thy  chamber : 
Take  thou  this  vial,  being  then  in  bed. 
And  this  distilled  liquor  drink  thou  off; 
When  presently  through  all  thy  veins  shall  run 
A  cold  and  drowsy  humour,  for  no  pulse 
Shall  keep  his  native  progress,  but  surcease : 
No  warmth,  no  breath,  shall  testify  thou  livest ; 
The  roses  in  thy  lips  and  cheeks  shall  fade 
To  paly  ashes,  thy  eyes'  windows  fall. 
Like  death,  when  he  shuts  up  the  day  of  life ; 
Each  part,  deprived  of  supple  government. 
Shall,  stiff  and  stark  and  cold,  appear  like  death  : 
And  in  this  borrowed  likeness  of  shrunk  death 
Thou  shalt  continue  two  and  forty  hours. 
And  then  awake  as  from  a  pleasant  sleep. 

83.  chapiess^  jawless.  104.  borrow* d^  counterfeit. 

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Romeo  and  Juliet 


ACT  IV 


Now,  when  the  bridegroom  in  the  morning  comes 

To  rouse  thee  from  thy  bed,  there  art  thou  dead : 

Then,  as  the  manner  of  our  country  is, 

In  thy  best  robes  uncovered  on  the  bier 

Thou  shalt  be  borne  to  that  same  ancient  vault 

Where  all  the  kindred  of  the  Capulets  lie. 

In  the  mean  time,  against  thou  shalt  awake. 

Shall  Romeo  by  my  letters  know  our  drift. 

And  hither  shall  he  come :  and  he  and  I 

Will  watch  thy  waking,  and  that  very  night 

Shall  Romeo  bear  thee  hence  to  Mantua. 

And  this  shall  free  thee  from  this  present  shame ; 

If  no  inconstant  toy,  nor  womanish  fear. 

Abate  thy  valour  in  the  acting  it 

Jul,  Give  me,  give  me !  O,  tell  not  me  of  fear ! 

Fri,  L.   Hold ;   get  you  gone,  be  strong  and 
prosperous 
In  this  resolve :  I  *11  send  a  friar  with  speed 
To  Mantua,  with  my  letters  to  thy  lord. 

Jul,  Love  give  me  strength !  and  strength  shall 
help  afford. 
Farewell,  dear  father !  [Exeunt, 


Scene  II.     ffall  in  Capulefs  house. 

Enter  Capulet,  Lady  Capulet,  Nurse,  and 
two  Servingmen. 

Cap,  So  many  guests  invite  as  here  are  writ. 

\Exit  First  Servant. 
Sirrah,  go  hire  me  twenty  cunning  cooks. 

Sec,  Serv,  You  shall  have  none  ill,  sir ;  for  I  '11 
try  if  they  can  lick  their  fingers. 

Cap,  How  canst  thou  try  them  so  ? 

114.  drift,  plan.  119.  toy^  capricious  whim. 

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8C.  U 


Romeo  and  Juliet 


Sec  Serv.  Marry,  sir,  'tis  an  ill  cook  that  can- 
not lick  his  own  fingers :  therefore  he  that  cannot 
lick  his  fingers  goes  not  with  me. 

Cap.  Go,  be  gone.  [Exit  Sec.  Servant 

We  shall  be  much  unfumish'd  for  this  time. 
What,  is  my  daughter  gone  to  Friar  Laurence  ? 

Nurse.  Ay,  forsooth. 

Cap.  Well,  he  may  chance  to  do  some  good  on 
her: 
A  peevish  self-wiird  harlotry  it  is. 

Nurse,   See  where  she  comes  from  shrift  with 
merry  look. 

Enter  Juliet. 

Cap.  How  now,  my  headstrong!  where  have 
you  been  gadding  ? 

Jul.  Where  I  have  leam'd  me  to  repent  the  sin 
Of  disobedient  opposition 
To  you  and  your  behests,  and  am  enjoin'd 
By  holy  Laurence  to  fall  prostrate  here. 
To  beg  your  pardon  :  pardon,  I  beseech  you  ! 
Henceforward  I  am  ever  ruled  by  you. 

Cap.  Send  for  the  county ;  go  tell  him  of  this : 
I  '11  have  this  knot  knit  up  to-morrow  morning. 

Jul.  I  met  the  youthful  lord  at  Laurence'  cell ; 
And  gave  him  what  becomed  love  I  might, 
Not  stepping  o'er  the  bounds  of  modesty. 

Cap.  Why,  I  am  glad  on 't;  this  is  well:  stand  up: 
This  is  as  *t  should  be.     Let  me  see  the  county ; 
Ay,  marry,  go,  I  say,  and  fetch  him  hither. 
Now,  afore  God !  diis  reverend  holy  friar, 
All  our  whole  city  is  much  bound  to  him. 

Jul.  Nurse,  will  you  go  with  me  into  my  closet. 
To  help  me  sort  such  needful  ornaments 
As  you  think  fit  to  furnish  me  to-morrow  ? 

14.  harlotry,  'baggage.'  36.  becomed,  becoming. 

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La,  Cap.  No,  not  till  Thursday ;  there  is  time 
enough. 

Cap.  Go,  nurse,  go  with  her :  we  '11  to  church 
to-morrow.  [Exeunt  Juliet  and  Nurse, 

La,  Cap,  We  shall  be  short  in  our  provision  : 
'Tis  now  near  night 

Cap,  Tush,  I  will  stir  about, 

And  all  things  shall  be  well,  I  warrant  thee,  wife : 
Go  thou  to  Juliet,  help  to  deck  up  her ; 
1 11  not  to  bed  to-night ;  let  me  alone ; 
I  '11  play  the  housewife  ifor  this  once.     What,  ho  I 
They  are  all  forth.     Well,  I  will  walk  myself 
To  County  Paris,  to  prepare  him  up 
Against  to-morrow :  my  heart  is  wondrous  light. 
Since  this  same  wa3rward  girl  is  so  reclaimed. 

\Exeunt. 


Scene  III.    Juliets  chamber. 

Enter  Juliet  and  Nurse. 

Jul,    Ay,  those   attires   are   best:   but,   gentle 
nurse, 
I  pray  thee,  leave  me  to  myself  to-night ; 
For  I  have  need  of  many  orisons 
To  move  the  heavens  to  smile  upon  my  state, 
Which,  well  thou  know'st,  is  cross  and  full  of  sin. 

Enter  Lady  Capulet. 

La,  Cap,  What,  are  you  busy,  ho?  need  you 

my  help  ? 
Jul,   No,  madam;  we  have  cuU'd  such  neces- 
saries 
As  are  behoveful  for  our  state  to-morrow : 
So  please  you,  let  me  now  be  left  alone, 

8.  behoveful,  fitting. 
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8c.  in  Romeo  and  Juliet 

And  let  the  nurse  this  night  sit  up  with  you ;  xo 

For,  I  am  sure,  you  have  your  hands  full  all, 
In  this  so  sudden  business. 

La,  Cap,  Good  night :  * 

Get  thee  to  bed,  and  rest ;  for  thou  hast  need. 

\Exeunt  Lady  Capulet  and  Nurse, 

Jul,  Farewell  I     God  knows  when  we  shall  meet 
again. 
I  have  a  faint  cold  fear  thrills  through  my  veins, 
That  almost  freezes  up  the  heat  of  hfe : 
I  '11  call  them  back  again  to  comfort  me  : 
Nurse  ! — ^What  should  she  do  here  ? 
My  dismal  scene  I  needs  must  act  alone. 
Come,  viaL  «> 

What  if  this  mixture  do  not  work  at  all  ? 
Shall  I  be  married  then  to-morrow  morning  ? 
No,  no :  this  shall  forbid  it :  lie  thou  there. 

[Laying  down  a  dagger. 
What  if  it  be  a  poison,  which  the  friar 
Subtly  hath  ministered  to  have  me  dead. 
Lest  in  this  marriage  he  should  be  dishonoured. 
Because  he  married  me  before  to  Romeo  ? 
I  fear  it  is :  and  yet,  methinks,  it  should  not, 
For  he  hath  still  been  tried  a  holy  man. 
How  if,  when  I  am  laid  into  the  tomb,  30 

I  wake  before  the  time  that  Romeo 
Come  to  redeem  me  ?  there 's  a  fearful  point ! 
Shall  I  not,  then,  be  stifled  in  the  vault, 
To  whose  foul  mouth  no  healthsome  air  breathes  in, 
And  there  die  strangled  ere  my  Romeo  comes  ? 
Or,  if  I  live,  is  it  not  very  like, 
The  horrible  conceit  of  death  and  night, 
Together  with  the  terror  of  the  place, — 
As  in  a  vault,  an  ancient  receptacle, 
Where,  for  these  many  hundred  years,  the  bones      40 
29.  (riedt  proved.  37.  conceit^  imagination. 

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Romeo  and  Juliet  act  iv 

Of  all  my  buried  ancestors  are  pack'd  : 

Where  bloody  Tybalt,  yet  but  green  in  earth, 

Lies  festering  in  his  shroud ;  where,  as  they  say, 

At  some  hours  in  the  night  spirits  resort ; 

Alack,  alack,  is  it  not  like  that  I 

So  early  waking,  what  with  loathsome  smells, 

And  shrieks  like  mandrakes'  torn  out  of  the  earth. 

That  living  mortals,  hearing  them,  run  mad : — 

O,  if  I  wake,  shall  I  not  be  distraught, 

Environed  with  all  these  hideous  fears  ?  so 

And  madly  play  with  my  forefathers'  joints  ? 

And  pluck  the  mangled  Tybalt  from  his  shroud  ? 

And,  in  this  rage,  with  some  great  kinsman's  bone, 

As  with  a  club,  dash  out  my  desperate  brains  ? 

O,  look !  methinks  I  see  my  cousin's  ghost 

Seeking  out  Romeo,  that  did  spit  his  body 

Upon  a  rapier's  point :  stay,  Tybalt,  stay ! 

Romeo,  I  come !  this  do  I  drink  to  thee. 

\Shefalh  upon  her  bed,  within  the  curtains. 


Scene  IV.     Hall  in  Capulefs  house. 

Enter  Lady  Capulet  and  Nurse. 

La.  Cap,    Hold,    take   these   keys,    and   fetch 

more  spices,  nurse. 
Nurse,  They  call  for  dates  and  quinces  in  the 

pastry. 

Enter  Capulet. 

Cap.  Come,  stir,  stir,  stir !  the  second  cock  hath 
crow'd, 

42.  green,  fresh.  from   the  earth,   which   caused 

47.     mandrakes ;    the  plant  madness  in   those  who    heard 

mandragora,  which  was  thought  it 

to  resemble  the  human  form  and  2.  pastry,  the  room  in  which 

to  utter  a  shriek  when  plucked  pies  were  made. 

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8c.  IV  Romeo  and  Juliet 

The  curfew-bell  hath  rung,  'tis  three  o'clock : 
Look  to  the  baked-meats,  good  Angelica : 
Spare  not  for  cost. 

Nurse.  Go,  you  cot-quean,  go. 

Get  you  to  bed ;  faith,  you  '11  be  sick  to-morrow 
For  this  night's  watching. 

Cap,  No,  not  a  whit :  what !  I  have  watch'd  ere 
now 
All  night  for  lesser  cause,  and  ne'er  been  sicL  zo 

La,  Cap,  Ay,  you  have  been  a  mouse-hunt  in 
your  time ; 
But  I  will  watch  you  from  such  watching  now. 

\Exeunt  Lady  Capuief  and  Nurse. 
Cap,  A  jealous-hood,  a  jealous-hood ! 

Enter  three  or  four  Servingmen,  with  spits^  logs^ 
and  baskets. 

Now,  fellow, 
What's  there? 

First  Serv.  Things  for   the   cook,  sir;   but  I 

know  not  what. 
Cap,   Make   haste,  make  haste.      [Exit  First 
Serv,]     Sirrah,  fetch  drier  logs  : 
Call  Peter,  he  will  show  thee  where  they  are. 
Sec,  Serv,  I  have  a  head,  sir,  that  will  find  out 
logs. 
And  never  trouble  Peter  for  the  matter.        [Exit, 
Cap,  Mass,  and  well  said;  a  merry  whoreson,  ha! 
Thou  shalt  be  logger-head.     Good  faith,  'tis  day :     ao 
The  county  will  be  here  with  music  straight. 
For  so  he  said  he  would :  I  hear  him  near. 

\Music  within. 
Nurse !     Wife !     What,  ho !     What,  nurse,  I  say  ! 

5.  baked-meats,  pasXrj.  11.      mouse  -  hunt ,    woman- 

6.  cot -quean,    a  man  who      hunter, 
busies    himself   with    women's 

affairs.  13.  jealous-hood,  jealousy. 

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Romeo  and  Juliet 


Re-enter  Nurse. 


Go  waken  Juliet,  go  and  trim  her  up ; 
I  'U  go  and  chat  with  Paris  :  hie,  make  haste. 
Make  haste ;  the  bridegroom  he  is  come  ahready  : 
Make  haste,  I  say.  \Exeunt, 


Scene  V.    Jtdiefs  chamber. 

Enter  Nurse. 

Nurse.  Mistress!   what,  mistress!  Juliet!  ^t, 

I  warrant  her,  she : 
Why,  lamb !  why,  lady  !  fie,  you  slug-a-bed  ! 
Why,   love,  I  say !    madam  !    sweet -heart !    why, 

bride  1 
What,  not  a  word?  you  take  your  pennyworths 

now; 
Sleep  for  a  week ;  for  the  next  night,  I  warrant. 
The  County  Paris  hath  set  up  his  rest. 
That  you  shall  rest  but  little.     God  forgive  me. 
Marry,  and  amen,  how  sound  is  she  asleep ! 
I  must  needs  wake  her.    Madam,  madam,  madam ! 
Ay,  let  the  county  take  you  in  your  bed ;  to 

He'll  fright  you  up,  i'  faith.     Will  it  not  be? 

\Undraws  the  curtains. 
What,  dressed!   and  in  your  clothes!   and  down 

again ! 
I  must  needs  wake  you  :  Lady !  lady !  lady ! 
Alas,  alas  !     Help,  help  !  my  lady 's  dead  ! 
O,  well-a-day,  that  ever  I  was  born ! 
Some  aqua-vitae,  ho !     My  lord !  my  lady ! 

4.   pennyworths  (pronounced         6.  set  up  his  rest,  resolved  (a 
'  pen'ortbs ').  phrase  in  the  game  of  primero). 

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8c.  V  Romeo  and  Juliet 

Enter  Lady  Capulet. 

La.  Cap.  What  noise  is  here  ? 

Nurse.  O  lamentable  day ! 

La.  Cap.  What  is  the  matter? 

Nurse.  Look,  look !  O  heavy  day ! 

La.  Cap.  O  me,  O  me  !  My  child,  my  only  life, 
Revive,  look  up,  or  I  will  die  with  thee ! 
Help,  help  !     Call  help. 

Enter  Capulet. 

Cap.  For  shame,  bring  Juliet  forth ;  her  lord  is 

come. 
Nurse.  She's  dead,  deceased,  she's  dead;  alack 

the  day ! 
La.  Cap.  Alack  the  day,  she 's  dead,  she 's  dead, 

she 's  dead ! 
Cap.   Ha !  let  me  see  her.     Out,  alas !   she 's 
cold; 
Her  blood  is  settled,  and  her  joints  are  stiff; 
Life  and  these  lips  have  long  been  separated  : 
Death  lies  on  her  like  an  untimely  frost 
Upon  the  sweetest  flower  of  all  the  field. 
Nurse.  O  lamentable  day ! 
La.  Cap.  O  woful  time ! 

Cap.  Death,  that  hath  ta'en  her  hence  to  make 
me  wail. 
Ties  up  my  tongue,  and  will  not  let  me  speak. 

Enter  Friar  Laurence  and  Paris,  with 
Musicians. 

Fri,  L.  Come,  is  the  bride  ready  to  go  to  church? 

Cap.  Ready  to  go,  but  never  to  return. 
O  son  !  the  night  before  thy  wedding-day 
Hath  Death  lain  with  thy  wife.     There  she  lies, 

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Romeo  and  Juliet 


Flower  as  she  was,  deflowered  by  him. 

Death  b  my  son-in-law,  Death  is  my  heir ; 

My  daughter  he  hath  wedded  :  I  will  die, 

And  leave  him  all ;  life,  living,  all  is  Death's.  40 

Par,  Have  I  thought  long  to  see  this  morning's 
face. 
And  doth  it  give  me  such  a  sight  as  this  ? 

La.  Cap.  Accursed,  unhappy,  wretched,  hateful 
day! 
Most  miserable  hour  that  e'er  time  saw 
In  lasting  labour  of  his  pilgrimage ! 
But  one,  poor  one,  one  poor  and  loving  child. 
But  one  thing  to  rejoice  and  solace  in, 
And  cruel  death  hath  catch'd  it  from  my  sight ! 

Nurse.  O  woe !  O  woftil,  woful,  woful  day  ! 
Most  lamentable  day,  most  woful  day,  50 

That  ever,  ever,  I  did  yet  behold ! 
O  day !  O  day !  O  day !  O  hateful  day ! 
Never  was  seen  so  black  a  day  as  this : 
O  woful  day,  O  woful  day ! 

Par.  Beguiled,  divorced,  wronged,  spited,  slain  ! 
Most  detestable  death,  by  thee  beguiled. 
By  cruel  cruel  thee  quite  overthrown ! 
O  love  !  O  life  !  not  life,  but  love  in  death  ! 

Cap.  Despised,  distressed,  hated,  martyr'd,  kiird! 
Uncomfortable  time,  why  camest  Uiou  now  60 

To  murder,  murder  our  solemnity  ? 
O  child  !  O  child  !  my  soul,  and  not  my  child  ! 
Dead  art  thou  !     Alack  !  my  child  is  dead ; 
And  with  my  child  my  joys  are  buried. 

Fri.  L.  Peace,  ho,  for  shame !  confusion's  cure 
lives  not 
In  these  confusions.     Heaven  and  yourself 
Had  part  in  this  fair  maid ;  now  heaven  hath  all. 
And  all  the  better  is  it  for  the  maid : 
Your  part  in  her  you  could  not  keep  from  death, 
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SC.  V 


Romeo  and  Juliet 


But  heaven  keeps  his  part  in  eternal  life.  70 

The  most  you  sought  was  her  promotion ; 

For  'twas  your  heaven  she  should  be  advanced : 

And  weep  ye  now,  seeing  she  is  advanced 

Above  the  clouds,  as  high  as  heaven  itself? 

O,  in  this  love,  you  love  your  child  so  ill, 

That  you  run  mad,  seeing  that  she  is  well : 

She 's  not  well  married  that  lives  married  long, 

But  she 's  best  married  that  dies  married  young. 

Dry  up  your  tears,  and  stick  your  rosemary 

On  this  fair  corse  ;  and,  as  the  custom  is,  80 

In  all  her  best  array  bear  her  to  church : 

For  though  fond  nature  bids  us  all  lament, 

Yet  nature's  tears  are  reason's  merriment. 

Cap,  All  things  that  we  ordained  festival, 
Turn  from  their  office  to  black  funeral ; 
Our  instruments  to  melancholy  bells. 
Our  wedding  cheer  to  a  sad  burial  feast, 
Our  solemn  hymns  to  sullen  dirges  change, 
Our  bridal  flowers  serve  for  a  buried  corse. 
And  all  things  change  them  to  the  contrary.  90 

Fri,  Z.    Sir,  go  you  in;  and,  madam,  go  with 
him : 
And  go.  Sir  Paris ;  every  one  prepare 
To  follow  this  fair  corse  unto  her  grave : 
The  heavens  do  lour  upon  you  for  some  ill ; 
Move  them  no  more  by  crossing  their  high  will. 

\Exeunt  Capulet^  Lady  Capulet^ 
Paris^  and  Friar. 

First  Mus,  Faith,  we  may  put  up  our  pipes, 
and  be  gone. 

.  Nurse.  Honest  good  fellows,  ah,  put  up,  put  up ; 
For,  well  you  know,  this  is  a  pitiful  case.       [Exit, 

First  Mus,  Ay,  by  my  troth,  the  case  may  be  100 
amended. 

79.  rosemary;  habitually  used  at  weddings  and  fiinerala. 

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Romeo  and  Juliet  act  if 

Enter  Peter. 

Pd,  Musicians,  O,  musicians,  'Heart's  ease, 
Heart's  ease ; '  O,  an  you  will  have  me  live,  play 
*  Heart's  ease.' 

First  Mus,  Why  *  Heart's  ease '  ? 

Fet,  O,  musicians,  because  my  heart  itself 
plays  *  My  heart  is  full  of  woe  : '  O,  play  me  some 
merry  dump,  to  comfort  me^ 

First  Mus,  Not  a  dump  we;  'tis  no  time  to 
play  now,  no 

Fet,  You  will  not,  then  ? 

First  Mus,  No. 

Fet,  I  will  then  give  it  you  soundly. 

First  Mus,  What  will  you  give  us  ? 

Fet  No  money,  on  my  feith,  but  the  gleek ;  I 
will  give  you  the  minstrel. 

First  Mus,  Then  will  I  give  you  the  serving- 
creature. 

Fet,    Then   will   I   lay   the   serving-creature's 
dagger  on  your  pate.     I  will  carry  no  crotchets :  zao 
I  '11  re  you,  I  '11  fa  you ;  do  you  note  me  ? 

First  Mus,  An  you  re  us  and  fa  us,  you  note  us. 

Sec,  Mus,  Pray  you,  put  up  your  dagger,  and 
put  out  your  wit 

Fet,  Then  have  at  you  with  my  wit !  I  will 
dry-beat  you  with  an  iron  wit,  and  put  up  my  iron 
dagger.     Answer  me  like  men : 

*  When  griping  grief  the  heart  doth  wound, 

loi.  Enter  Peter.     Qq  have  115.  gleek,  a  scoff. 

'Enter  "Will  Kemp,'  the  well-  116.  give  you,  i.e.  retort  by 

known  clown  of  the  company  calling  you. 

who  evidently  took  this  part.  121.  note,  understand. 

102.  'Heart's ease, 'a popular  128.  The  stanza  is  from  the 

ballad.     So,  '  My  heart  is  full  beginning  of  a  poem  *  In  com- 

of  woe, '  below.  mendation  of  music, '  by  Richard 

108.  dump,  mournful  strain  E^dwards,  printed  in  The  Para- 

(misused  by  Peter).  dise  qf  Dainty  Devices, 

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ACT  V  Romeo  and  Juliet 

And  doleful  dumps  the  mind  oppress, 
Then  music  with  her  silver  sound ' —  130 

why  'silver  sound'?  why  'music  with  her  silver 
sound '  ?     What  say  you,  Simon  Catling  ? 

First  Mus.  Marry,  sir,  because  silver  hath  a 
sweet  sound. 

Pet  Pretty !     What  say  you,  Hugh  Rebeck? 

Sec.  Mus.  I  say  *  silver  sound,'  because  musicians 
sound  for  silver. 

Pet  Pretty  too  1  What  say  you,  James  Sound- 
post? 

Third  Mus,  Faith,  I  know  not  what  to  say.         140 

Pet  O,  I  cry  you  mercy ;  you  are  the  singer : 
I  will  say  for  you.  It  is  *  music  with  her  silver 
sound,'  because  musicians  have  no  gold  for  sound- 
ing: 

*  Then  music  with  her  silver  sound 

With  speedy  help  doth  lend  redress.'     \Exit 

First  Mus,  What  a  pestilent  knave  is  this 
same! 

Sec  Mus.  Hang  him.  Jack !  Come,  we  '11  in 
here ;  tarry  for  the  mourners,  and  stay  dinner.         150 

\Exeunt, 


ACT  V. 


Scene  I.     Mantua,     A  street. 

Enter  RoMEO. 

Ronu  If  I  may  trust  the  flattering  truth  of  sleep. 
My  dreams  presage  some  joyful  news  at  hand : 
My  bosom's  lord  sits  lightly  in  his  throne ; 


132. 

fiddle. 

Catling. 

Ut 

•  catgut ' 

;  so 

Rebeck 

:  lit. 

a  three- stringed 

Digitized  by  VjO 

Romeo  and  Juliet  act 

And  all  this  day  an  unaccustom'd  spirit 
Lifts  me  above  the  ground  with  cheerful  thoughts. 
I  dreamt  my  lady  came  and  found  me  dead — 
Strange  dream,  that  gives  a  dead  man  leave  to 

think!— 
And  breathed  such  life  with  kisses  in  my  lips. 
That  I  revived,  and  was  an  emperor. 
Ah  me !  how  sweet  is  love  itself  possessed, 
When  but  love's  shadows  are  so  rich  in  joy ! 

Enter  Balthasar,  booted. 

News  from  Verona ! — How  now,  Balthasar ! 
Dost  thou  not  bring  me  letters  from  the  friar? 
How  doth  my  lady  ?     Is  my  father  well  ? 
How  fsu-es  my  Juliet  ?  that  I  ask  again ; 
For  nothing  can  be  ill,  if  she  be  well. 

Bal.  Then  she  is  well,  and  nothing  can  be  ill : 
Her  body  sleeps  in  Capels*  monument, 
And  her  immortal  part  with  angels  lives. 
I  saw  her  laid  low  in  her  kindred's  vault, 
And  presently  took  post  to  tell  it  you : 
O,  pardon  me  for  bringing  these  ill  news, 
Since  you  did  leave  it  for  my  office,  sir. 

Rom,  Is  it  e'en  so  ?  then  I  defy  you,  stars ! 
Thou  know'st  my  lodging :  get  me  ink  and  paper. 
And  hire  post-horses ;  I  will  hence  to-night 

Bat,  I  do  beseech  you,  sir,  have  patience : 
Your  looks  are  pale  and  wild,  and  do  import 
Some  misadventure. 

Rom.  Tush,  thou  art  deceived : 

Leave  me,  and  do  the  thing  I  bid  thee  do. 
Hast  thou  no  letters  to  me  from  the  friar  ? 

Bal.  No,  my  good  lord. 

Rom.  No  matter :  get  thee  gone, 

And  hire  those  horses ;  I  '11  be  with  thee  straight 

\Exit  Balthasar. 
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SC.  1 


Romeo  and  Juliet 


Well,  Juliet,  I  will  Fie  with  thee  to-night. 

Let 's  see  for  means : — O  mischief,  thou  art  swift 

To  enter  in  the  thoughts  of  desperate  men ! 

I  do  remember  an  apothecary, 

And  hereabouts  a'  dwells,  which  late  I  noted 

In  tatter'd  weeds,  with  overwhelming  brows. 

Culling  of  simples ;  meagre  were  his  looks,  40 

Sharp  misery  had  worn  him  to  the  bones : 

And  in  his  needy  shop  a  tortoise  hung. 

An  alligator  stuflPd,  and  other  skins 

Of  ill-shaped  fishes ;  and  about  his  shelves 

A  beggarly  account  of  empty  boxes, 

Green  earthen  pots,  bladders  and  musty  seeds. 

Remnants  of  packthread  and  old  cakes  of  roses. 

Were  thinly  scattered,  to  make  up  a  show. 

Noting  this  penury,  to  myself  I  said, 

An  if  a  man  did  need  a  poison  now,  50 

Whose  sale  is  present  death  in  Mantua, 

Here  Uves  a  caitiif  wretch  would  sell  it  him. 

O,  this  same  thought  did  but  forerun  my  need, 

And  this  same  needy  man  must  sell  it  me. 

As  I  remember,  this  should  be  the  house : 

Being  holiday,  the  beggar's  shop  is  shut 

What,  ho  !  apothecary  ! 

Enter  Apothecary. 

Ap,  Who  calls  so  loud  ? 

Rom,  Come  hither,  man.     I  see  that  thou  art 
poor; 
Hold,  there  is  forty  ducats :  let  me  have 
A  dram  of  poison,  such  soon-speeding  gear  60 

As  will  disperse  itself  through  all  the  veins 
That  the  life-weary  taker  may  fall  dead 
And  that  the  trunk  may  be  discharged  of  breath 
As  violently  as  hasty  powder  fired 

39.  overwhelming,  projecting.  53.  caitif,  miserable. 

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Romeo  and  Juliet 


ACT  V 


Doth  hurry  from  the  fktal  cannon's  womb. 

Ap,  Sudi  mortal  drugs  I  have ;  but  Mantua's  law 
Is  death  to  any  he  that  utters  them. 

Rom.  Art  thou  so  bare  and  full  of  wretchedness, 
And  fear'st  to  die  ?  famine  is  in  thy  cheeks, 
Need  and  oppression  starveth  in  thy  eyes, 
Contempt  and  beggary  hangs  upon  thy  back ; 
The  world  is  not  thy  friend,  nor  the  world's  law ; 
The  world  affords  no  law  to  make  thee  rich ; 
Then  be  not  poor,  but  break  it,  and  take  this. 

Ap,  My  poverty,  but  not  my  will,  consents. 

Rom,  I  pay  thy  poverty,  and  not  thy  will. 

Ap,  Put  this  in  any  liquid  thing  you  will, 
And  drink  it  off;  and,  if  you  had  the  strength 
Of  twenty  men,  it  would  dispatch  you  straight 

Rom,  There  is  thy  gold,  worse  poison  to  men's 
souls, 
Doing  more  murders  in  this  loathsome  world, 
Than  these  poor  compounds  that  thou  mayst  not 

sell 
I  sell  thee  poison,  thou  hast  sold  me  none. 
Farewell :  buy  food,  and  get  thyself  in  flesh. 
Come,  cordial  and  not  poison,  go  with  me 
To  Juliet's  grave ;  for  there  must  I  use  thee. 


Scene  II.     Friar  Laurence^ s  cell. 

Enter  Friar  John. 
Fri,  J,  Holy  Franciscan  friar !  brother,  ho ! 

Enter  Friar  Laurence. 

Fri,  L,  This  same  should  be  the  voice  of  Friar 
John. 

67.  he^  man.  67.  ^tterst  disposes  of. 

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sc.  II  Romeo  and  Juliet 

Welcome  from  Mantua :  what  says  Romeo  ? 
Or,  if  his  mind  be  writ,  give  me  his  letter. 

Fri,J,  Going  to  find  a  bare-foot  brother  out, 
One  of  our  order,  to  associate  me. 
Here  in  this  city  visiting  the  sick, 
And  finding  him,  the  searchers  of  the  town. 
Suspecting  that  we  both  were  in  a  house 
Where  the  infectious  pestilence  did  reign,  zo 

Seal'd  up  the  doors,  and  would  not  let  us  forth ; 
So  that  my  speed  to  Mantua  there  was  stay'd. 

Fri,  Z.  Who  bare  my  letter  then  to  Romeo  ? 

Fri,  J,  I  could  not  send  it, — here  it  is  again,— 
Nor  get  a  messenger  to  bring  it  thee. 
So  fearful  were  they  of  infection. 

Fri,  Z.  Unhappy  fortune  1  by  my  brotherhood, 
The  letter  was  not  nice,  but  full  of  charge 
Of  dear  import,  and  the  neglecting  it 
May  do  much  danger.     Friar  John,  go  hence ;         ao 
Get  me  an  iron  crow,  and  bring  it  straight 
Unto  my  cell. 

Fri.  J,  Brother,  I  '11  go  and  bring  it  thee. 

\Exit 

Fri,  L,  Now  must  I  to  the  monument  alone ; 
Within  this  three  hours  will  fair  Juliet  wake : 
She  will  beshrew  me  much  that  Romeo 
Hath  had  no  notice  of  these  accidents ; 
But  I  will  write  again  to  Mantua, 
And  keep  her  at  my  cell  till  Romeo  come : 
Poor  living  corse,  closed  in  a  dead  man's  tomb ! 

\Exit 

6.  associate,  accompany.  of  constables  for  neglecting  this 

9- 1 1.    It  was  a  part  of  the  duty, 
constable's  business  to  seal  up         ^g.  nUe.  unimportant, 
the   doors   of  plague  -  stncken 

houses.  The  Middlesex  Sessions         19-  ^^^*  extreme. 
Rolls  contain  cases  of  the  trial  26.  accidents,  events. 


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Romeo  and  Juliet 


Scene  III.     A  churchyard ;  in  it  a  tomb 
belonging  to  the  Capulets, 

Enter  Paris,  and  his  Page  bearing  flowers  and 
a  torch, 

Pctr,  Give  me  thy  torch,  boy :  hence,  and  stand 
aloof: 
Yet  put  it  out,  for  I  would  not  be  seen. 
Under  yond  yew-trees  lay  thee  all  along. 
Holding  thine  ear  dose  to  the  hollow  ground ; 
So  shall  no  foot  upon  the  churchyard  tread. 
Being  loose,  unfirm,  with  digging  up  of  graves. 
But  thou  shalt  hear  it :  whistle  then  to  me. 
As  signal  that  thou  hear'st  something  approach. 
Give  me  those  flowers.     Do  as  I  bid  thee,  go. 
Page,    \Aside\   I   am    almost   afraid    to   stand 
alone 
Here  in  the  churchyard ;  yet  I  will  adventure. 

\Retires, 
Par,  Sweet  flower,  with  flowers  thy  bridal  bed 
I  strew, — 
O  woe !  thy  canopy  is  dust  and  stones ; — 
Which  with  sweet  water  nightly  I  will  dew, 

Or,  wanting  that,  with  tears  distiird  by  moans  : 
The  obsequies  that  I  for  thee  will  keep 
Nightly  shall  be  to  strew  thy  grave  and  weep. 

\The  Page  whistles. 
The  boy  gives  warning  something  doth  approach. 
What  cursed  foot  wanders  this  way  to-night, 
To  cross  my  obsequies  and  true  love's  rite  ? 
What,  with  a  torch  1  muflle  me,  night,  awhile. 

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sc.  in  Romeo  and  Juliet 

Enter  Romeo  and  Balthasar,  with  a  torch^ 
mattock^  etc, 

Rom,  Give  me  that  mattock  and  the  wrenching 
iron. 
Hold,  take  this  letter ;  early  in  the  morning 
See  thou  deliver  it  to  my  lord  and  father. 
Give  me  the  light :  upon  thy  life,  I  charge  thee, 
Whatever  thou  hear'st  or  seest,  stand  all  aloof, 
And  do  not  interrupt  me  in  my  course. 
Why  I  descend  into  this  bed  of  death 
Is  partly  to  behold  my  lady's  face ; 
But  chiefly  to  take  thence  from  her  dead  finger         30 
A  precious  ring,  a  ring  that  I  must  use 
In  dear  employment :  therefore  hence,  be  gone : 
But  if  thou,  jealous,  dost  return  to  pry 
In  what  I  farther  shall  intend  to  do. 
By  heaven,  I  will  tear  thee  joint  by  joint 
And  strew  this  hungry  churchyard  with  thy  limbs : 
The  time  and  my  intents  are  savage-wild. 
More  fierce  and  more  inexorable  far 
Than  empty  tigers  or  the  roaring  sea. 

BaL  I  will  be  gone,  sir,  and  not  trouble  you.        40 

Rom,  So  shalt  thou  show  me  friendship.     Take 
thou  that : 
Live,  and  be  prosperous :  and  farewell,  good  fellow. 

BaL  [Aside]  For  all  this  same,  111  hide  me 
hereabout : 
His  looks  I  fear,  and  his  intents  I  doubt 

[Retires, 

Rom,  Thou  detestable  maw,  thou  womb  of  death. 
Gorged  with  the  dearest  morsel  of  the  earth, 
Thus  I  enforce  thy  rotten  jaws  to  open, 
And,  in  despite,  1 11  cram  thee  with  more  food ! 

[Opens  the  tomb. 

Par,  This  is  that  banish'd  haughty  Montague, 

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Romeo  and  Juliet  act  v 

That  murder'd  my  love's  cousin,  with  which  grief,     so 

It  is  supposed,  the  fair  creature  died ; 

And  here  is  come  to  do  some  villanous  shame 

To  the  dead  bodies :  I  will  apprehend  him. 

[Comes  forward. 
Stop  thy  unhallow'd  toil,  vile  Montague ! 
Can  vengeance  be  pursued  further  than  death  ? 
Condemned  villain,  I  do  apprehend  thee : 
Obey,  and  go  with  me ;  for  thou  must  die. 

Rom,   I  must  indeed;  and   therefore  came  I 
hither. 
Good  gentle  youth,  tempt  not  a  desperate  man ; 
Fly  hence,  and  leave  me :  think  upon  these  gone ;   60 
Let  them  affright  thee.     I  beseech  thee,  youth. 
Put  not  another  sin  upon  my  head, 
By  urging  me  to  fiiry  :  O,  be  gone  ! 
By  heaven,  I  love  thee  better  than  myself; 
For  I  come  hither  arm'd  against  myself : 
Stay  not,  be  gone ;  live,  and  hereafter  say, 
A  madman's  mercy  bade  thee  run  away. 

Par.  I  do  defy  thy  conjurations. 
And  apprehend  thee  for  a  felon  here. 

Rom,  Wilt  thou   provoke   me?  then   have  at 
thee,  boy !  \They  fight,  70 

Page,  O  Lord,  they  fight !  I  will  go  call  the 
watch.  \Exit, 

Par,  O,  I  am  slain !  \Falls^  If  thou  be  merciful. 
Open  the  tomb,  lay  me  with  Juliet.  [Dies, 

Rom,  In  faith,  I  will.     Let  me  peruse  this  face. 
Mercutio's  kinsman,  noble  County  Paris ! 
What  said  my  man,  when  my  betossed  soul 
Did  not  attend  him  as  we  rode  ?     I  think 
He  told  me  Paris  should  have  married  Juliet : 
Said  he  not  so  ?  or  did  I  dream  it  so  ? 
Or  am  I  mad,  hearing  him  talk  of  Juliet,  80 

To  think  it  was  so  ?     O,  give  me  thy  hand, 

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8c.  Ill  Romeo  and  Juliet 

One  writ  with  me  in  sour  misfortune's  book  I 
I  '11  bury  thee  in  a  triumphant  grave ; 
A  grave  ?  O,  no !  a  lantern,  slaughtered  youth, 
For  here  lies  Juliet,  and  her  beauty  makes 
This  vault  a  feasting  presence  full  of  light. 
Death,  lie  thou  there,  by  a  dead  man  interred. 

[Laying  Paris  in  the  monument 
How  oft  when  men  are  at  the  point  of  death 
Have  they  been  merry !  which  their  keepers  call 
A  lightning  before  death  :  O,  how  may  I  90 

Call  this  a  lightning  ?     O  my  love !  my  wife ! 
Death,  that  hath  suck'd  the  honey  of  thy  breath, 
Hath  had  no  power  yet  upon  thy  beauty : 
Thou  art  not  conquered ;  beauty's  ensign  yet 
Is  crimson  in  thy  lips  and  in  thy  cheeks. 
And  death's  pale  fia%  is  not  advanced  there. 
Tybalt,  liest  thou  there  in  thy  bloody  sheet  ? 
O,  what  more  favour  can  I  do  to  thee. 
Than  with  that  hand  that  cut  thy  youth  in  twain 
To  sunder  his  that  was  thine  enemy  ?  100 

Forgive  me,  cousin  !     Ah,  dear  Juliet, 
Why  art  thou  yet  so  fair  ?  shall  I  believe 
That  unsubstantial  death  is  amorous. 
And  that  the  lean  abhorred  monster  keeps 
Thee  here  in  dark  to  be  his  paramour  ? 
For  fear  of  that,  I  still  will  stay  with  thee ; 
And  never  from  this  palace  of  dim  night 
Depart  again  :  here,  here  will  I  remain 
With  worms  that  are  thy  chamber-maids ;  O,  here 
Will  I  set  up  my  everlasting  rest,  no 

And  shake  the  yoke  of  inauspicious  stars 
From  this  world-wearied  flesh.     Eyes,  look  your 
last ! 

84.  lantern,  (in  its  architec-     crossing  of  nave  and  transepts 
tural   sense)    a   turret   full    of     at  Ely), 
windows  (such  as  that  over  the         86.  presence,  state-chamber. 
VOL.  VII  513  2  L 


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Romeo  and  Juliet  act  v 

Arms,  take  your  last  embrace !  and,  lips,  O  you 
The  doors  of  breath,  seal  with  a  righteous  kiss 
A  dateless  bargain  to  engrossing  death ! 
Come,  bitter  conduct,  come,  unsavoury  guide ! 
Thou  desperate  pilot,  now  at  once  run  on 
The  dashing  rocks  thy  sea-sick  weary  bark ! 
Here 's  to  my  love  !     [Drinks.]     O  true  apothe- 
cary ! 
Thy  drugs  are  quick.     Thus  with  a  kiss  I  die.         xao 

[Dies. 

EnUr^  at  the  other  end  of  the  churchy ardy  Friar 
Laurence,  with  a  lantern^  crow^  and  spade. 

FrL  L.  Saint  Francis  be  my  speed!  how  oft 
to-night 
Have  my  old   feet  stumbled  at  graves !     Who 's 
there  ? 
Bat,  Here 's  one,  a  friend,  and  one  that  knows 

you  well. 
Fri,  Z.  Bliss  be  upon  you!     Tell  me,  good 
my  friend. 
What  torch  is  yond  that  vainly  lends  his  lig^t 
To  grubs  and  eyeless  skulls  ?  as  I  discern. 
It  burneth  in  the  Capels*  monument 

BaL    It   doth  so,   holy  sir;    and   there's   my 
master. 
One  that  you  love. 

Fri.  L,  Who  is  it? 

Bed,  Romeo. 

Fri,  Z.  How  long  hath  he  been  there  ? 
Bal.  Full  half  an  hour.  130 

Fri  Z.  Go  with  me  to  the  vault. 
BaL  I  dare  not,  sir : 

My  master  knows  not  but  I  am  gone  hence ; 
And  fearfully  did  menace  me  with  death, 
If  I  did  stay  to  look  on  his  intents. 
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8C.  Ill 


Romeo  and  Juliet 


Fri,  Z.  Stay,  then ;  I  '11  go  alone.     Fear  comes 
upon  me : 
O,  much  I  fear  some  ill  unlucky  thing. 

BaL  As  I  did  sleep  under  this  yew-tree  here, 
I  dreamt  my  master  and  another  fought, 
And  that  my  master  slew  him. 

Fri,  Z.  Romeo ! 

\Advance5, 
Alack,  alack,  what  blood  is  this,  which  stains  140 

The  stony  entrance  of  this  sepulchre  ? 
What  mean  these  masterless  and  gory  swords 
To  lie  discoloured  by  this  place  of  peace  ? 

\Enters  the  tomb, 
Romeo  1  O,  pale !     Who  else  ?  what,  Paris  too  ? 
And  steep'd  in  blood  ?     Ah,  what  an  unkind  hour 
Is  guilty  of  this  lamentable  chance  1 
The  lady  stirs.  [Juliet  wakes, 

Jul,  O  comfortable  friar  !  where  is  my  lord  ? 
I  do  remember  well  where  I  should  be. 
And  there  I  am  :  where  is  my  Romeo  ?  15© 

[Noise  within. 
Fri,  L,  I  hear  some  noise.     Lady,  come  from 
that  nest 
Of  death,  contagion,  and  unnatural  sleep : 
A  greater  power  than  we  can  contradict 
Hath  thwarted  our  intents :  come,  come  away. 
Thy  husband  in  thy  bosom  there  lies  dead ; 
And  Paris  too.     Come,  I  '11  dispose  of  thee 
Among  a  sisterhood  of  holy  nuns  : 
Stay  not  to  question,  for  the  watch  is  coming ; 
Come,  go,  good  Juliet  [Noise  again] ;  I  dare  no 
longer  stay. 
Jul.  Gk),  get  thee  hence,  for  I  will  not  away.       x6o 

[JExit  Fri,  L, 
What's  here?  a  cup,  closed  in  my  true  love's  hand  ? 
Z48.  comfortable,  comforting. 

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Romeo  and  Juliet  act  v 

Poison,  I  see,  hath  been  his  timeless  end : 

O  churl !  drunk  all,  and  left  no  friendly  drop 

To  help  me  after  ?  I  will  kiss  thy  lips ; 

Haply  some  poison  yet  doth  hang  on  them, 

To  make  me  die  with  a  restorative.      [JCisses  him. 

Thy  lips  are  warm. 

First  WatcK  \Within\  Lead,  boy:  which  way? 

Jul.  Yea,  noise  ?  then  1 11  be  brief.     O  happy 

dagger  I  \Snatching  Earned s  dagger. 

This  is  thy  sheath  [Stabs  herself] ;  there  rust,  and 

let  me  die.  170 

[Falls  on  Romeds  body^  and  dies. 

Enter  Watch,  with  the  Page  <2/"  Paris. 

Page.  This  is  the  place ;  there,  where  the  torch 
doth  bum. 

First  Watch,    The   ground   is   bloody;  search 
about  the  churchyard : 
Go,  some  of  you,  whoe'er  you  find  attach. 
Pitiful  sight !  here  lies  the  county  slain ; 
And  Juliet  bleeding,  warm,  and  newly  dead, 
Who  here  hath  lain  these  two  days  buried. 
Go,  tell  the  prince  :  run  to  the  Capulets : 
Raise  up  the  Montagues  :  some  others  search : 
We  see  the  ground  whereon  these  woes  do  lie ; 
But  the  true  ground  of  all  these  piteous  woes  180 

We  cannot  without  circumstance  descry. 

Re-enter  some  of  the  Watch,  with  Balthasar. 

Sec.   Watch,  Here's  Romeo's  man;  we  foimd 

him  in  the  churchyard. 
First    Watch,  Hold    him    in    safety,    till    the 

prince  come  hither. 

162.  timeless t  untimely. 
181.  circumstance,  further  particulars. 

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sc.  Ill  Romeo  and  Juliet 


Re-enter  others  of  the  Watch,  with  Friar 
Laurence. 

TTiird  Watch,  Here  is  a  friar,   that  trembles, 
sighs,  and  weeps : 
We  took  this  mattock  and  this  spade  from  him, 
As  he  was  coming  from  this  churchyard  side. 
First  Watch,  A  great  suspicion :  stay  the  friar 
too. 

Enter  the  Prince  and  Attendants. 

Prince.  What  misadventure  is  so  early  up. 
That  calls  our  person  from  our  morning  rest  ? 

Enter  Capulet,  Lady  Capulet,  and  others. 

Cap.  What  should  it  be,   that  they  so  shriek 

abroad  ?  190 

La.  Cap.  The  people  in  the  street  cry  Romeo, 
Some  Juliet,  and  some  Paris  ;  and  all  run 
With  open  outcry  toward  our  monument. 

Prince.  What  fear  is  this  which  startles  in  our 

ears? 
First  Watch.  Sovereign,  here  lies  the  County 
Paris  slain ; 
And  Romeo  dead ;  and  Juliet,  dead  before, 
Warm  and  new  kill'd. 

Prince.  Search,  seek,  and  know  how  this  foul 

murder  comes. 
First  Watch.  Htere  is  a  friar,  and  slaughtered 
Romeo's  man. 
With  instruments  upon  them  fit  to  open  900 

These  dead  men's  tombs. 

Cap.    O    heavens!     O    wife,    look    how    our 
daughter  bleeds ! 
This  dagger  hath  mista'en,  for,  lo,  his  house 
Is  empty  on  the  back  of  Montague, 
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Romeo  and  Juliet 


ACT  V 


And  it  mis-sheathed  in  my  daughter's  bosom ! 
La,  Cap.  O  me!  this  sight  of  death  is  as  a 
bell, 
That  warns  my  old  age  to  a  sepulchre. 

Enter  Montague  and  others. 

Prince,  Come,  Montague ;  for  thou  art  early  up, 
To  see  thy  son  and  heir  more  early  down. 

Mon,  Alas,  my  liege,  my  wife  is  dead  to-night ;   210 
Grief  of  my  son's  exile  hath  stopp'd  her  breath : 
What  further  woe  conspires  against  mine  age  ? 

Prince,  Look,  and  thou  shalt  see. 

Mon,   O  thou  untaught!  what  manners  is  in 
this, 
To  press  before  thy  father  to  a  grave  ? 

Prince,  Seal  up  the  mouth  of  outrage  for  a 
while. 
Till  we  can  clear  these  ambiguities. 
And   know  their  spring,   their   head,   their  true 

descent ; 
And  then  will  I  be  general  of  your  woes, 
And  lead  you  even  to  death :  meantime  forbear,     aao 
And  let  mischance  be  slave  to  patience. 
Bring  forth  the  parties  of  suspicion. 

Fri,  L,  I  am  the  greatest,  able  to  do  least. 
Yet  most  suspected,  as  the  time  and  place 
Doth  make  against  me,  of  this  direful  murder ; 
And  here  I  stand,  both  to  impeach  and  purge 
Myself  condemned  and  myself  excused. 

Prince,  Then  say  at  once  what  thou  dost  know 
in  this. 

Fri,  L,  I  will  be  brief,  for  my  short  date  of 
breath 
Is  not  so  long  as  is  a  tedious  tale.  S30 

Romeo,  there  dead,  was  husband  to  that  Juliet ; 

ai6.  outrage,  outcry. 

S18 


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sc.  Ill  Romeo  and  Juliet 

And  she,  there  dead,  that  Romeo's  faithful  wife : 

I  married  them ;  and  their  stolen  marriage-day 

Was  Tybalt's  dooms-day,  whose  untimely  death 

Banish'd  the  new-made  bridegroom  from  this  city, 

For  whom,  and  not  for  Tybalt,  Juliet  pined. 

You,  to  remove  that  siege  of  grief  from  her, 

Betroth'd  and  would  have  married  her  perforce 

To  County  Paris :  then  comes  she  to  me. 

And,  with  wild  looks,  bid  me  devise  some  mean      340 

To  rid  her  from  this  second  marriage. 

Or  in  my  cell  there  would  she  kill  hersel£ 

Then  gave  I  her,  so  tutor'd  by  my  art, 

A  sleeping  potion ;  which  so  took  effect 

As  I  intended,  for  it  wrought  on  her 

The  form  of  death :  meantime  I  writ  to  Romeo, 

That  he  should  hither  come  as  this  dire  night, 

To  help  to  take  her  from  her  borrowed  grave, 

Being  the  time  the  potion's  force  should  cease. 

But  he  which  bore  my  letter.  Friar  John,  350 

Was  stay'd  by  accident,  and  yesternight 

Return'd  my  letter  back.     Then  all  alone 

At  the  prefixed  hour  of  her  waking, 

Came  I  to  take  her  from  her  kindred's  vault ; 

Meaning  to  keep  her  closely  at  my  cell, 

Till  I  conveniently  could  send  to  Romeo : 

But  when  I  came,  some  minute  ere  the  time 

Of  her  awaking,  here  untimely  lay 

The  noble  Paris  and  true  Romeo  dead. 

She  wakes ;  and  I  entreated  her  come  forth,  a6o 

And  bear  this  work  of  heaven  with  patience : 

But  then  a  noise  did  scare  me  from  the  tomb ; 

And  she,  too  desperate,  would  not  go  with  me. 

But,  as  it  seems,  did  violence  on  herself. 

247.  as  tkis  dire  nighi,  this  *  as  this  very  day  was  Cassius 
dire  night.  ('As'  served  to  born,'  /«/.  Ccbs,  v.  i.  7a ;  *as 
define  expressions  of  time,   cf.      now,'  etc.). 

5»9 


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Romeo  and  Juliet 


ACT  V 


All  this  I  know ;  and  to  the  marriage 
Her  nurse  is  privy :  and,  if  aught  in  this 
Miscarried  by  my  fault,  let  my  old  life 
Be  sacrificed,  some  hour  before  his  time, 
Unto  the  rigour  of  severest  law. 

Prince.  We  still  have  known  thee  for  a  holy 
man.  370 

Where 's  Romeo's  man  ?  what  can  he  say  in  this  ? 

Bal.  I  brought  my  master  news  of  Juliet's  death ; 
And  then  in  post  he  came  from  Mantua 
To  this  same  place,  to  this  same  monument. 
This  letter  he  early  bid  me  give  his  father, 
And  threaten'd  me  with  death,  going  in  the  vault, 
If  I  departed  not  and  left  him  there. 

Prince.  Give  me  the  letter ;  I  will  look  on  it. 
Where  is  the  county's  page,  that  raised  the  watch  ? 
Sirrah,  what  made  your  master  in  this  place  ?  aSo 

Page.  He  came  with  flowers  to  strew  his  lady's 
grave; 
And  bid  me  stand  aloof,  and  so  I  did : 
Anon  comes  one  with  light  to  ope  the  tomb ; 
And  by  and  by  my  master  drew  on  him ; 
And  then  I  ran  away  to  call  the  watch. 

Prince.  This  letter  doth  make  good  the  friar's 
words, 
Their  course  of  love,  the  tidings  of  her  death : 
And  here  he  writes  that  he  did  buy  a  poison 
Of  a  poor  'pothecary,  and  therewithal 
Came  to  this  vault  to  die,  and  lie  with  Juliet.  090 

Where  be  these  enemies  ?     Capulet !  Montague ! 
See,  what  a  scourge  is  laid  upon  your  hate. 
That  heaven  finds  means  to  kill  your  joys  with 

love. 
And  I  for  winking  at  your  discords  too 
Have  lost  a  brace  of  kinsmen :  all  are  punish'd. 

Cap,  O  brother  Montague,  give  me  thy  hand : 
520 


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«c.  Ill  Romeo  and  Juliet 

This  is  my  daughter's  jointure,  for  no  more 
Can  I  demand 

Man.  But  I  can  give  thee  more : 

For  I  will  raise  her  statue  in  pure  gold ; 
That  while  Verona  by  that  name  is  known,  300 

There  shall  no  figure  at  such  rate  be  set 
As  that  of  true  and  faithful  Juliet. 

Cap,  As  rich  shall  Romeo's  by  his  lady's  lie ; 
Poor  sacrifices  of  our  enmity ! 
Prince,  A  glooming  peace  this  morning  with  it 
brings ; 

The  sun,  for  sorrow,  will  not  show  his  head : 
Go  hence,  to  have  more  talk  of  these  sad  things ; 

Some  shall  be  pardon'd,  and  some  punished : 
For  never  was  a  story  of  more  woe 
Than  this  of  Juliet  and  her  Romeo.  [Exeunt  310 


END  OF  VOL.  VII 


FrmUdby  R.  ft  R.  Clark,  Limitbd,  Edinburgh, 


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